#and maya holding her close and looking over at liam before closing her eyes and sleeping herself...my heart

[mayasdeluca]

MAYA AND CARINA STATION 19: 7x04: 'Trouble Man'

[jmflowers]

Still taking prompts? Carina feeling emotional over Maya learning/knowing Italian.

You got it, dude. Canon-compliant for your reading pleasure.

~~~

Ding!

Carina smiles as she steps through the front door, the smell of dinner on the stove wafting down the hallway to greet her.

They’ve been in their new home all of three weeks and already they’ve fallen into a symbiotic routine – one she finds herself endlessly enamoured by. A warm meal waiting for whoever’s last to arrive home, a load of laundry in the dryer before bed each night, swapping shifts to rise when Liam cries out at 2am to be fed.

There’s balance forming, now that they’re here. Balance and love and support that seemed so far away, so farfetched, just a year ago.

“I’m back!” she calls out as she wanders into the kitchen, heavy grocery bags dangling from her hands. She can’t wait until they renovate this space; can’t wait until there’s more room on the counters and in the pantry for all the things she has to keep slipping out to buy.

Mela, a slightly robotic voice says.

Carina frowns, turning towards the sound, groceries piled half on the counter and half in the sink. She lets them tumble from her grasp, traipsing down the hallway after yet another Ding! echoes from the nursery.

Arancia, the robotic voice says.

“Arancia,” Maya repeats, her voice so whisper soft Carina barely hears it. “That’s an orange.”

Ding!

She’s leaned back in the plush rocking chair they’d settled on for the nursery, Liam curled in her lap with his eyelids fluttering as he tries desperately to pay attention to the phone she holds in front of them.

Elefante, the robotic voice inside the screen says next.

“Elefante,” Maya replicates, lips pressed to the side of Liam’s cap-covered head. “You know elephant.”

Ding! the phone chirps.

“Oh, you know this one, too,” Maya whispers, smiling softly. “Mamma says buona notte every night before we go to sleep.”

“Sì,” Carina murmurs, stumbling into the gravity that’s dragging her across the room towards them. “Buona notte means good night.”

Maya nods, turning just enough for Liam and his heavy eyelids to catch a glimpse of Carina as she leans over the arm of the chair to kiss his cheeks. “And ciao is hello.”

His little face splits into a grin, reaching for his mamma even as he fights a losing battle with sleep. “Ah,” he chirps.

“I got a few lessons ahead of him,” Maya explains, setting her phone aside on the dresser. She tips Liam backwards in her arms, laying his head in the crook of her elbow with a practiced ease. He gazes up at her with a toothless smile, nearly giving in to the weight of his eyelids. “So, we had to go back and review what he missed.”

“Ah,” Liam repeats.

“Sì,” Maya nods, looking down at their baby boy with a ferocity of love that causes a clench of something deep and primal and unquantifiable in Carina’s chest. “Apple is mela. That’s your favourite, I know.”

One of those tiny, perfect fists finds its way into Liam’s mouth and then, finally, he loses the fight. Finally, his eyes close and he tumbles into sleep.

And that feeling in Carina’s chest seems to explode.

She leans forward, reaching for Maya with a desperation she can’t quite explain. Tugging, needy, until their lips connect. Until she can try to convey with her body what she doesn’t have English words for.

Ti amo. Ho bisogno di te. Sono così perdutamente innamorato di te.

Maya won’t understand them all – not yet.

But she will. One day, she will.

[englishstrawbie]

I don't know if you are still taking prompts, but if you do maybe 80. for Marina? :)

Here you go, I hope you like it. 😊

@soumazoa also asked for 80 & 82, so I incorporated 82 into this too.

>>>>>>>>>>

Carina has never experienced heat like it. The fire burns red as it laps at the trees, each leaf disintegrating in the flames, ashes falling to the ground. Her face flushes under the mask she wears, keeping her as safe as possible from the smoke that billows around her. She can’t help but think of the baby growing inside of her, doubts flooding her mind about whether it was the right thing to do to walk into the path of the wildfire.

But then her patient cries out and Carina is reminded why she is here. A mother, on the backseat of her car giving birth. A father, who may not get to see his daughter grow up. And a baby, who slips into her arms, angry at her sudden arrival into the world.

Carina thinks of Maya, her mind flooded with images of a future she has dreamed about for so long. Of Liam, as he hits his teenage years. Of the little bambina inside of her right now. Of the third child she hopes Maya will agree to eventually with some gentle persuasion. Of the clinic she wants to open and all the patients who will pass through its doors. Of the meals they will cook and the flowers they will plant in the garden. Of the vacations they will take and the kisses they will share.

An aid car from Station 15 appears, pulling Carina away from her dream. She stays with the mama, offering words of comfort as Ben helps them extract the husband from the car. Another rig from Station 88 shows up soon after them and Carina holds on to the newborn as they help her patient onto the gurney.

“You should get to the base,” one of them - Hellerstein - tells Ben, as he takes the baby from Carina’s arms.

Those few words ignite fear in both of them. Something has happened to 19 and they need to be with their family. Ben’s face darkens and Carina feels her heart drops in her chest, her breath catching in the back of her throat. She starts to cough and Ben spins around to look at her, a hand on her arm.

“I’m fine,” Carina says before he can ask if she is okay. “Let’s go.”

He doesn’t have the chance to object before Carina stalks towards the car, climbing into the passenger seat, her leg jiggling impatiently

They are only ten minutes from the base camp and Carina stares out the window for the entire journey, watching as the flames grow dimmer, the fire less intense than it had been deeper in the forest. Her impatience turns into nerves as they approach the base, her eyes darting around as she looks for her wife.

She spots Maya quickly, by the ladder truck, stripping out of her overalls. She opens the door as the car rolls to a stop, ignoring Ben’s grumbles as she jumps out and races towards the truck.

“Maya!”

Maya looks up at the familiar voice, her mouth dropping open when she sees Carina heading towards her, head to toe in yellow.

“Carina, what are you doing here?” she asks, looking her up and down. “And why are you in brush gear?”

“I had to help Warren deliver a baby in the wildfire,” Carina says. “Are you okay?”

She talks breathlessly, her heart thumping in her chest as she looks Maya up and down, searching for any sign of injury. Her skin is dirty, patches of soot covering her face and neck. They hide some red marks and Carina lifts a hand to Maya’s face, running her fingers over a small burn just behind her ear - a spot that is usually reserved for her kisses.

Carina knows their time in the forest will have been difficult and scary. She has tried not to think about it, staying positive for herself and for Liam. “Mommy’s coming home,” she had reassured him - reassuring herself, too.

Another version of her future flashes before her eyes. Carina pictures their house, its curtains closed to block the sunshine from coming in. Dishes are piled up in the kitchen, the trash unemptied for days leaving a foul stench in the air. She is in bed, buried under the covers, her cell phone battery dead and the house phone off its hook. She can hear two young children playing in the distance.

The other side of the bed is empty, the sheets cold. An urn sits on the bedside table, simple in its decor. Carina squeezes her eyes shut, silently praying that it will be gone when she opens them again.

“Carina? Hey, my love, open your eyes.”

She feels a warm hand on her cheek, wiping away tears she didn’t realise were falling. When she opens her eyes, Maya is looking up at her, a concerned frown distorting her pretty face and her blue eyes soft and warm.

“Where did you go?” she asks.

“I…” Carina stumbles over her words, only calming when she feels Maya’s hand wrap around her own.

“Hey,” Maya’s voice brings her back to reality. “Don’t leave me like that again. You scared me.”

“I was so scared for you out there,” Carina confesses. “I… I can’t be without you, Maya.”

It is then that Maya falters.

“Andy… Andy’s on her way to Grey Sloan,” she says, her voice breaking and tears pricking her eyes. “It could have been me. I… I got stuck in the fire, only for a few minutes before they water bombed us, but it was long enough to…”

Carina watches as Maya’s lips wobble, too scared to admit what might have happened.

“I thought about you, and Liam, and… and I can’t be without you.”

Carina’s stomach churns at the thought of her biggest fear coming true and she pushes it down, responds instead by pulling Maya into her arms, wrapping them tightly around her body and burying her face into her neck. She smells of smoke and sweat, and thinks about all the times she has berated Maya for not showering before she comes home. But today she doesn’t care. Today she finds comfort in the scent, taking a long breath and inhaling deeply.

“You’re okay,” Carina murmurs. “And I’m okay.”

She pulls back, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

“We’re okay.”

“Yeah, we are,” Maya says.

Carina holds back a laugh. “No bambina.” She takes Maya’s hand and places it on her stomach. “I mean… We're okay.”

It takes Maya a moment to understand.

“You mean…?”

Carina nods.

“Oh my god,” Maya says, dumfounded. “We’re pregnant?!”

Maya’s hands cup her face, her face breaking into a wide smile. Tears run down Carina’s cheeks, happy ones this time.

“We’re pregnant. Two babies.”

She thinks of Liam and hopes that he is going to love being a big brother, just as much as she loved being a big sister to Andrea.

Despite her exhaustion, Maya can’t contain her happiness as she pulls Carina into a kiss, laughing as she pulls her in for another hug.

“Bishop, we gotta go,” Sullivan’s voice calls out.

His tone is solemn and it dampens their celebrations - for now, at least.

“We’ll celebrate later, okay?” Maya says. “And let’s not tell anyone for now. I want to tell Andy before the others.”

“Okay,” Carina says. She pulls on Maya’s hand to stop her from walking away too quickly. “Except.. Ben knows. And Helm too, but only because she checked the results for me.”

She bites down on her lip, wondering if Maya will be mad that she wasn’t the very first person to hear the happy news. She is pretty sure she sees the roll of Maya’s eyes, but her lips twitch as she masks a smile.

“Fine. I want Andy to be the next to know.” Maya tips her head towards the ladder truck. “You wanna ride shotgun with me?”

Carina’s eyebrows arch, her face lighting up at the thought of sitting next to Maya as she drives the engine.

“That sounds sexy,” she teases.

Maya chuckles. “Come on,” she says. “Let’s go and make sure our family stays in one piece. This little one is going to need its Auntie Andy.”

[she-karev]

The Doppelganger (Maya x Carina Funny/Sweet Imagine)

Previous Part Here

Age Rating: 12+

Chapters: Four of Four

Fandom: Station 19

Ship: Maya Bishop x Carina DeLuca

AN: Hey guys I hope you all are having a great Pride Month and I hope you enjoyed my story so far, comment down below and tell me what you think.

One Shot Requests: If you guys have any requests for more Maya x Carina content please share.

Summary: Maya and Carina are in bed and talk about Mia.

Words: 1005

June 6th, 2023

Maya is sitting on the floor of the living room playing with Liam. She holds up a Bluey doll and speaks in high pitched Australian voice.

“Now fly Chunky!” Liam giggles at the voice causing Maya to join in, “You’re an alright mate Liam, everybody knows it especially your mama’s.” The front door opens, and Carina enters the house in her casual clothes. She enters the living room smiling at her family who look back at her with smiles, “Hey babe how did it go? Did Mia have her baby?”

Carina kneels down on the floor and kisses Liam’s head, “She did, she and Spencer are with their new baby boy right now. Five pounds, 14 ounces and they already named him David after Spencer’s father. Their sons were debating which one is gonna teach him to play baseball when I was leaving.”

Maya chuckles and pulls Liam to her lap, “Wow three boys can you imagine?”

“Well, I can I already love our little boy so much and I am just fine with you teaching our sons how to throw a football while I make lemonade for you.” Carina smiles at the thought, “Of course I will teach them the different surgical specialties they should consider.”

Maya chuckles, “Wow you’re determined at keeping the doctor family tradition alive. Not that I wouldn’t mind, if at least one of our kids is a surgeon we’ll be set for after retirement.”

Carina chuckles, “That is very positive thinking bambina, now that we’re both home how about we get Liam ready for bed?” Maya nods and puts Liam in her arms before standing up and following Carina to the bathroom. They give Liam a very playful bath where he plays with rubber duckies while his mom’s shampoo and wash him. He gets slightly fussy when they drain the tub, but he calms down as Carina puts him in his pajamas while Maya gets his crib ready. Carina sings to him in Italian and gently rocks him, this lasts for a few minutes until Liam starts to fall asleep. Maya smiles at the sight of her pregnant wife singing to their son before she puts him inside the crib. Maya covers him with a blue blanket and kisses his cheek, Carina kisses him too and Maya turns on the nightlight that projects blue light and stars all over the room. They stand by the door and whisper good night to Liam before closing the door.

After showering and putting on their PJ’s the wives get in bed ready to fall asleep. Maya is lying in bed staring at the ceiling with Carina next to her closing her eyes. The day that they had where she saw a version of herself married to someone else and having three kids has her mind running scenarios. It’s not something she would consider doing ever but it has her innocently asking herself what if? She turns to her wife and asks her this question.

“Can I ask you something?” Carina groans lightly but opens one eye indicating yes, “Did you really not see a resemblance between me and Mia? Because I saw some, but I didn’t think we were the exact same like the others did. How did you not freak out when you met her?”

Carina grins and props one hand up on an elbow smiling down at her, “I saw a similarity, I’m not blind but I know that no matter how much you look alike there will never be another Maya Bishop in this world. The woman I love and married and have children with, she is one of a kind. She is the same tough, beautiful, determined woman who made my world turn upside down the moment I asked her if I would buy her a drink while she tells me the story of how she carried a discarded nose into an ER. There is no one who would give me that experience.”

Maya grins smugly, “Yeah I am pretty unique, aren’t I?”

“You are and that is why I didn’t see you when I was treating Mia. What she has on you is appearance and that is it.”

Maya props her hand up on an elbow, “Yeah but it makes me wonder what if? Like what if Mia decided to join the fire department here and suddenly met this gorgeous Italian woman in a bar one night? Would things be exactly the same and you two would be married and pregnant raising a baby? And what if I went to UCLA on a track scholarship instead of competing in the Olympics right after high school? Would I have met this geeky and cute physics major on the field one day and ask him for coffee? Would I be married to him and having three boys after a gorgeous OB examines me? Would things be the same as they are now if me and Mia made different decisions?”

Carina inhales and thinks for a moment, “I think life goes the way it’s meant to, and we’re meant to be led to our fate. We’re meant to live the life we’re supposed to live. And the life I have with you right now, I wouldn’t want that with anyone but you bambina.”

Maya grins at her wife, “Me too, there’s no one who would give me this family and the love I didn’t even know existed. You did that for me, and I am so thankful I wouldn’t change a single thing in my life if it meant I didn’t meet you.”

Carina smiles, “Ti amo.”

Maya squeezes her wife’s shoulder thankful she knows Italian, “I love you too, come here.” They kiss so tenderly it feels like their souls are physically touching. After they kiss Carina cuddles up against Maya who wraps her arm around Carina’s back pulling her toward her. Maya and Carina cuddle up to each other as they let the night take them in a blissful sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

[sunflowersunshinevol6]

Punkinhead (spooky mini series)

Pairing: Harry Styles x Reader

Warnings: horror, drug usage

Summary: On a camping trip with their friends, Harry and Y/N awaken an evil unlike any other.

Friends to lovers, spooky series

Part One

1963

Hellen jumped, woken by the sound of her Father's drunken screams. She tip toed to the door of her bedroom. 

"Bout as smart as them cows you're supposed to bring in! An' ya couldn't even do that!" Hellen winced, hearing her father's hand come down across her brother's cheek. Hellen watched her brother stumble, only to be yanked back up by her father. 

"I'm sorry Pa." He whimpered. 

"Know wha? You're gonna keep watch over them cows tonight. Give that scarecrow a break." Hellen heard her brother take in a sharp breath, struggling against their father's hold.

"No Pa! Please-"

"An' maybe Punkinhead'll take ya off my hands! Only need one Scarecrow right?!" Hellen watched her father grab a lamp and some rope, dragging her brother behind him. 

Hellen put her boots and coat on quickly. Surely he was kidding about Punkinhead. Punkinhead wasn't a real thing. He didn't exist. Twenty minutes later she heard her Pa come back inside, slumping into his chair. She waited until she heard his soft snores before sneaking out into the night after her brother. 

It was windy, the pumpkin patch was eerie at night, like little goblins waiting around, ready to strike at any moment. She shined her flashlight up where the scarecrow should have been. In it's place her brother, shivering in the cold.

"Abel!" Hellen shouted. She held the light between her legs, reaching up to try and untie him. 

"He….he's coming." Able wheezed. His eyes were wide, staring at something in the distance. "He's coming for me." 

"What?!" Hellen shouted, but she could feel it, the chill on the back of her neck. She looked up, Abel's eyes were red rimmed and filled with fear. He looked down at her. 

"Leave." Abel gasped. "Go Hellen!" Hellen kissed her brother's cheek before turning away. 

The wind howled and as she ran a piercing scream, blood curdling and filled with agony shook the night. Hellen glanced over her shoulder. What she saw would haunt her for the rest of her days. 

Present Day

“I can’t believe you invited her to go with us.” Kennedi rolled her eyes as she hoisted her gym bag over her shoulder. She stood in the lobby with her boyfriend and their friends. Her dig was aimed at him though, Harry, her boyfriend, who had a female roommate she was not fond of. 

It wasn’t that she was afraid Harry would sleep with Y/N. No, that would never happen. It was more so the fact that they were so close and she was so weird, yet Harry fawned over everything she did. Like she was the greatest person ever….it was annoying.

“Y/N is my best friend Ken. I can’t exactly leave her behind.”

“Yes you can,” Kennedi hissed. “You’re not joined at the hip.”

“I think Y/N’s cool,” Niall interjected before Harry could say anything. “She looks like she could kick my ass.” Niall had liked Y/N from the moment Harry introduced them. She was more on the punk alternative side with ripped leggings, diy vests and a plethora of band t-shirts. Let’s not forget her Doc Martens that were entirely kick ass by themselves. Kennedi rolled her eyes. 

“Whatever Niall, you would.” Kennedi turned her attention back to Harry. “You live with her. You see her everyday. Do you have to invite her everywhere? That’s all I’m asking.” she wrapped her arms around Harry’s waist. “Don’t you want to be alone with me?” Niall rolled his eyes when she bat her lashes at Harry. God she was annoying. 

“We will be alone baby,” he kissed the tip of her nose. Niall smirked at the way Kennedi’s face fell, annoyance furrowing her brows. “She’s my best mate. I can’t leave her behind.”

“You can, you just choose not to.” Kennedi pouted. Harry sighed, dropping his arms. “I’m sorry.” she said quickly. “I just...I worry sometimes.” Niall wanted to be sick. She played Harry so easily. He knew the real reason Kennedi hated Y/N was because she knew Harry. Y/N was first, all the time, and that pissed her off. Harry could deny it all he wanted. But everyone knew.

“Look. I gotta go home, but Y/N and I will meet you guys here bright and early in the morning so...be ready to go.” Harry kissed Kennedi once more before leaving the gym. 

Harry skipped steps as he made his way up to the flat he shared with Y/N. They had met three years ago when Harry had moved to the states for school. She needed a roommate and he needed a place to stay. Though it had taken a couple months for them to get used to each other, it was true, they were practically joined at the hip at this point. 

“Y/N!” he shouted, kicking the door shut with his foot. Their dog, Scrappy, bounded up to him. They weren’t sure what he was, he had been a stray, living outside of their building when they found him. Maybe it was weird for friends that lived together to have a pet. But they did. 

“Hey boy,” Harry knelt down, scratching behind Scrappy’s ear. He could smell food cooking in the kitchen and hear what sounded like Iron Maiden, from the kitchen. 

Y/N was cooking something Thai, a red bandana around her head, keeping her bangs out of her face. “Hello love,” Harry said, sneaking around her towards the cupboard. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. Anyone watching them would think they were a couple, but they knew better. 

“Hey. I’m making chicken teriyaki. Know you’re not much for meat but-”

“No, no,” Harry interrupted. “It’s good.” He filled a cup with tap water, leaning against the counter. “You ready for tomorrow?” he asked, knowing full well that the answer was no. 

“You sure I can’t just stay here? I mean, then my mom won’t have to come take care of Scrappy and I won’t embarrass you in front of your friends.” Harry studied her. Y/N was gorgeous, her humor was dark, but she was such a good and caring person. He hated that people judged her for the way she looked, especially his friends.

“Y/N you don’t embarrass me,” he said, grabbing two plates for her and another glass for her to drink out of. “You’re always home. You never go out….I think you could have fun. Kennedi is...tricky,” he said, unable to find the right way to say it, “but Niall is great. You’ll love Elenore and Gigi. Maya and you could get along really well...Louis , Liam and Zayn, they’re fun.” He took her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “I want them to get to know you. To like you as much as I do.”

“Harry,” Y/N said, turning to look at him. Harry was extremely close. Their noses almost brushing as she looked up at him. She’d had feelings for him for a long time, but she knew he would never date her. Guys like him didn’t date girls like her. She was lucky just to be his friend. “I don’t want you to think you always have to invite me.”

“I don’t. I’m asking you.” he poked his lip out, giving her puppy dog eyes. “Please.”

“Harry.” Y/N said, trying not to smile. “Don’t.” he wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on her shoulder. “Don’t give me that look.” he fake whimpered, giggling at the end and hiding his face in her shoulder. “Okay. Okay.” she laughed, tugging at his arms. “Get off me.” she smirked. “Like I could say no to you anyway.” 

That night Y/N crawled into bed, burrowing into the blankets. 

It wasn’t like she hadn’t tried to be friends with his friends. She was a loner, granted she had a couple of friends of her own, she preferred her own company. That was until Harry entered her life. He was sweet and fun to be around, he didn’t care how much she liked horror films or if she preferred the pit at a rock concert to front row tickets to see Ariana Grande (she’d gone, much to Kennedi’s dismay.) Harry just fit. He was her one ‘normal.’ Her one piece of consistency. But she hated feeling like she was holding him back. 

“I’m going to have fun tomorrow.” she sighed, looking at the ceiling. “I’m going to have fun on this trip.”

It was a grave. Six feet deep, already laid out in front of her. The cemetery was dark, wind howling around her. The headstone was blank. She stepped forward, fear gripping her belly, she looked down into the grave-

Beep. Beep. 

Y/N’s eyes snapped open. Her body drenched with sweat. She threw her hand over her face, groaning. Why did she agree to get up at six am. Why did she agree to this. 

Harry was already awake when Y/N came out of her room. Dressed in sweats and an oversized Meat Puppets t shirt, her hair tossed into a messy bun. Harry was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, phone in one hand, cup of coffee in the other. He was shirtless, his basketball shorts hanging low on his hips. He smiled up at Y/N, pointing at a plate of eggs and toast on the table. 

“Made you breakfast.” 

“Thanks.” Y/N smiled, sitting down. Harry watched her as she scratched her head, stretching her arms up before digging in. He smiled to himself. He thought she was always prettiest like this. No makeup, baggy, comfy clothes, hair out of her face. He could watch her all day. It was moments like this, when he was alone with her here, he would pretend they were more. He would pretend she was his wife and this was their home. He would never tell her that, he didn’t think she could ever like him as much as he liked her. That’s why he was with Kennedi. He needed to get over it. Y/N was his friend. Only his friend.

Y/N could feel Harry’s eyes on her. She cleared her throat, looking up at him. He was watching her with such intensity, she shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “Harry?” he blinked, looking at her. “Might want to get dressed. We gotta leave in like an hour.” she smiled softly, watching his cheeks go red. 

“R-right.” he stuttered. Y/N watched as he downed the rest of his coffee.

“You know, you could have gotten into the back seat after we picked everyone up.” Harry said as he pulled the van up to the gym. His friends were waiting outside. Y/N rolled her eyes, tapping away on her phone. 

“And let the princess see me sitting next to you? God forbid.” Harry’s jaw twitched but he didn’t say anything. He knew she was right. If Y/N was sat up front by him, Kennedi would blow a gasket. That wasn’t something Harry was looking forward to. He had hoped maybe on this trip they’d get to know each other. Maybe get along. But he was doubting that seriously.

“Harry!” Kennedi squealed, she hopped into the front seat, pressing her lips to Harry’s. Her eyes flickered to the backseat, disappointed to find Y/N wasn’t watching. She would get it through her head this weekend though. Harry was hers. And she wasn’t going to let anyone get in the way of that. 

Y/N took her head phones out as the back door opened and Harry’s friends clammerd in. The one named Niall sat beside her. “Hi,” she did her best to smile at him. 

“Hey,” he gestured to her phone. “What are you listening to?” he asked. 

“Oh,” she held out an earbud. “Black Flag.”

“No shit.” Niall sounded impressed. “Lemme listen yeah?”

Harry couldn’t stop glancing into the rearview mirror. Niall and Y/N sat closely together, talking and whispering to each other. He felt the weight of Kennedi’s hand in his but also the raging jealousy. He wanted to be back there with Y/N. 

About an hour into their trip Harry pulled up to a rundown gas station. As he pulled in an old man and his son came out of the building. 

“Everybody out! Stretch ya legs!” Harry shouted. Niall let Y/N go first, before hopping down out of the van after her. He stumbled slightly, reaching for her hand as he righted himself. 

“Careful there,” Y/N smiled. Niall reached out, gently grabbing her waist. Y/N felt herself leaning up, eyes closing softly-

“Y/N!” Y/N’s head turned sharply. Harry was glaring at her and Niall. “Can I talk to you?” Niall smirked, letting her go. 

He was gonna get through to both of them by the end of this trip. It amazed Niall how blind the two of them could be. I mean, he didn’t even know Y/N but could tell she had some major feelings for Harry. 

“What’s up?” Y/N asked as Harry pumped the gas. Harry looked down at her, trying not to let his irritation at Niall show. 

“What’re you and Niall doing?” Y/N raised her eyebrows. 

“Excuse me?” 

“Just….just be careful please. I love Ni but-”

“Harry.” Y/N cut him off. “Harry this is what you wanted. For me to get along with your friends. That’s what I’m doing right?” Harry huffed, looking away. “Harry you’re not my boyfriend….you can’t tell me you want me to be friends with your friends and then two seconds later get mad when I do.” she glanced over his shoulder. “And Kennedi’s watching….Look I don’t want any drama okay.” Y/N turned away quickly. Just as  Kennedi was walking up on him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. 

"You alright babe?" She asked. Harry nodded.

They got in the van and continued on their way. Louis and Zayn passed around a joint. Y/N talked with Gigi and Maya. They were sweet and Liam was adorable with Maya. Harry stayed up front with Kennedi. He hated hearing Y/N's laugh and not knowing what she was laughing at. He hated that she was having fun without him. 

"Hey! Hey!" Gigi crawled over Y/N's lap, pointing out the window. A sign reading 'Grover's Pumpkin Patch' was passing them by. "Come on Harry! Let's stop!" 

"We haven't even gotten to the cabin yet." Kennedi complained. Gigi rolled her eyes. 

"So? We can take some with us to carve." Kennedi huffed, crossing her arms as Harry made the turn towards the pumpkin patch. Y/N took Niall's hand as they made their way down the dirt path. An old house sat at the top of the hill, the wood rotted and flung apart. An old woman came out to the porch as Harry parked in front of the house, everyone filing out of the van.

"Welcome to Grover's Pumpkin Patch. How can I help ya'll?" She had thin white hair and coke bottle glasses, crows feet withered around her watery blue eyes. Her gingham dress blew gently in the breeze. Harry stepped up, shaking her hand. 

"Hi! 'm Harry. We were wonderin' if we could get some pumpkins?" She smiled, her eyes meeting Y/N's, there was something about the woman that put Y/N off though. She wasn't comfortable. 

"10 dollars. You each can pick one." Harry grinned, reaching into his pocket. "Just stay away from the Scarecrow." She pointed over their shoulder. A scarecrow stood in the middle of the field, with a jack o lantern head. Kennedi snorted. 

"What's that supposed to be?" Harry pinched her side and the woman narrowed her eyes. 

"That is the alter to Punkinhead." 

"Punkinhead?" Y/N repeated. "Who's that?"

"He's a demon. He fetches souls for the Underworld. If you done someone wrong they can summon him, and he won't rest until you're dead." Y/N's blood ran cold, the dream the night before flashing once more in her mind. 

"Sounds scary." Kennedi said sarcastically, "lets go Harry. Get the stupid pumpkin so we can get to the cabin." She tugged on his arm as the group followed them. Y/N lingered by the old woman. 

"It's true you know….you seem like you have sense." Y/N nodded. 

"I should….I should go." 

"Godspeed."

"Kennedi." Y/N said, her voice shaking with unease. "I don't think you should do that." She looked to Harry, hoping he would say something to his girlfriend, but he only glanced at Y/N and pursed his lips.

Kennedi had made her way straight to the Scarecrow. The old woman had annoyed her and she was gonna show her. She wasn't afraid of anything, especially not some stupid story. 

"Kennedi." Her eyes flickered towards Y/N, she looked genuinely terrified. "Don't." 

"Ooh." Kennedi said, her tone mocking as she grabbed the scarecrow's head. "Is Punkinhead gonna get me?" She yanked the head off the scarecrow, throwing it to the ground. Y/N shivered at the noise it made on impact, squishy as it split apart. Kennedi hopped down from the post, wiping her hands.

"Kennedi." Niall scolded. She rolled her eyes.

"Come on. I don't believe in stupid horror stories. Punkinhead is about as real as the Boogeyman." She nudged Niall hard in the shoulder as she yanked Harry back towards the car.

Y/N stood rooted to the spot, staring at the smashed pumpkin. A chilly breeze swept over her and her stomach was churning.

"She shouldn't have done that." She finally said, turning to look at Niall. "I have a really bad feeling." Niall shook his head, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, turning them back to the car.

"I don't like her either Y/N but you shouldn't worry. Punkinhead is just a story....an urban legend." Y/N looked back at the house as they got into the car. The old woman stood on her porch, still watching them. As they made eye contact the feelings grew. Y/N didn't know what it was, but something bad was on the horizon.

Hellen went back into her house. She went into her bedroom, kneeling down she ripped up the floorboard and pulled out an old book. She brought it to the kitchen, slamming it on the table. 

"Stupid kids. They'll learn." She growled, flipping through the pages. "Here it is." She said, stopping suddenly. 

"Cross my heart and hope to die, please keep me blinded from the sight. When Punkinhead appears tonight. Appease the soul, save the right, bad blood will feed this patch tonight."

[a-for-author]

ORPHIC EYES: PART 1

The morning light beamed through the curtains, reflecting on the face of Andre. The boy who had his eyes closed, scrunched up his face due to the sunlight. He covered his face with a pillow, which was quickly replaced a hand. Two light slaps landed on his cheek, jolting him up from the slumber.

He barely opened his eyes when he felt another light slap on his face. "Oh my gosh moooom". He whined this time, rubbing his eyes to get the sleepiness off. He finally let his eyes open to the brightness, to be welcomed by his little brother, Liam. He wore a smug look on his face, resembling the grinch. Andre rolled his eyes at him before lightly pushing him away to get up from the bed.

"What are you doing here, Liam?" He questioned while turning his back to him to fix the bed. When the boy didn't reply, he turned around to look at him with annoyed eyes. The eight year old boy stuck out his tongue at Andre and left the room. "Weirdo" Andre muttered under his breath.

He lazily dragged himself towards the bathroom to continue his morning routine. After 15 minutes or so, he came out with an irritated face. "Moooom, I dropped the toothbrush inside the toilet again" Andre shouted loudly to make sure his mom hears him. He hears a loud groan from downstairs, which probably belongs to his mom and it made him chuckle.

After he was done with everything, he made his way downstairs to greet the family. It was a normal day for the Wilson family...at least that was what Andre thought. "Andre, oh my gosh. Hurry up already" Andre heard his mother gasp and then pushed him towards the breakfast table, where his father was sitting.

He took his seat in front of his father. "Good morning, father" He greeted the older man while reaching his hand for the toast on the plate. "Morning Son. Ready for your first day at Livedlyn High School?"

That was when it hit him. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. "Holy...yyyy bible" His mouth was ready to let out a curse until his father glanced up at him. He giggled nervously and ran upstairs to prepare. After that was done, he rushed downstairs again, only to see his annoying sister, Maya. "Andre, I'm driving you to school today" She said, while applying her crimson lipstick.

Andre rolled his eyes, not really keen on the idea of his sister taking him to school since she never forgets to create some drama. Girls...

After he was seated inside the car, he was driven to school with nonstop talking and whining from his sister. The car stopped in front of the big building, painted red and white. He suddenly felt nervousness creeping up inside him. He started hesitating about getting out of the car, but was soon dragged outside by his sister.

"Gosh Andre. Your such an ass. Man up and go inside already" She rolled her eyes for the fifth time already. He reiterated his decision once again. "I-I'm scared. What if the they don't like me? What if they bully me? What if they throw cheeseburgers at me? What if they throw me out of the windo- ok that's too far" He stopped pulling his curly brunette hair and wore a blunt face.

Andre saw his sister roll her eyes again before wishing him Good Luck and driving off.

Moving to a new town wasn't easy and moving to a new school was definitely not easy. He finally felt the nervousness dissipate as he let go of the strong hold on the hem of his black hoodie. His legs took the lead on walking inside the school.

Since the first bell hasn't rung, most students were hanging out in the cafeteria or the compound. But Andre being the introvert he was, didn't bother doing any of those and headed to his class with the help of a teacher. The teacher left midway, saying she had an emergency. Andre made his way inside the dull classroom, that was painted black and white. Posters and frames were hung around the walls with the tables and chairs neatly arranged.

He took his seat at the end of the first row, right near the window. He took out his phone and headphones, ready to dive into his own world. Andre being too immersed in the music, didn't realize the petite figure standing near the door. His head swayed to both sides, and finally to the side where the figure was standing and opened his eyes.

The figure's brown and blondish hair was neatly tied into a low bun with strands falling near the ears. The gray and black short dress was rather unnoticeable and blended in with the class perfectly. The bag worn over the shoulder was a dark blue with the words 'Always be happy' written on it. Andre stood still, not knowing what to do and embarrassed at the fact the figure had caught him swaying his head like a crazy psycho.

But what captured his eyes the most was the glowing blue eyes. Those eyes look like that of an Angel. Profoundly beautiful and addictive. It was like a blue sky was drawn inside.

The figure stood frozen too, her eyes sneakily wandering around the class, before they got locked with Andre's gaze. Andre took a nervous gulp. "U-uh, hi? I'm Andre" He finally blurted out.

The figure's lips formed into a little smile and nodded her head. Andre finally relaxed, seeing the smile. "W-what's your name?" He stuttered.

The girl nervously smiled again. This time, she took her finger up to her lips to form a 'Shhh' sign and then formed a cross with her fingers. It took a minute for Andre to process things, and when he finally realized, he widened his eyes.

"O-oh gosh. I'm so sorry. I didn't k-know" His panicked body left the seat and made its way over to the girl. She mimicked a giggling face and took out her phone. She typed in some words to respond to Andre.

'It's ok, don't worry. My name is Adrienne Summers, nice to meet you Andre'.

[lovemychoices]

The Lost Prince - TRR/TRH AU [Liam x MC] Mini Series - Part 1

After being married for three years and unable to produce an heir. Liam gets an unexpected news that changes his & Riley’s life forever.

Genre : Romance, Drama

*THIS SERIES PRACTICALLY THROWS CANON OUT THE WINDOW* YEET!YEET!

Characters except my OCs belong to Pixelberry, I am just borrowing them

Word count : 1500++

Chapter Summary: Liam and Riley struggle to get an heir forcing Riley to go with plan C. Meanwhile Liam gets some life changing news that could change his life forever.

A/N : So I had this series kept in my draft for quite sometime and finally decided to post it. I might regret this later. This will be a 5-6 part mini series and is going to be a prequel for another series I have planned called Heirs : A prince of Cordonia. I did not check for edits so forgive me for any grammatical mistakes.

Warning : Mentions of infertility and some pregnancy complications, that might be sensitive to some readers.

Riley nervously taps her feet on the carpet floor of the SUV while fidgeting with the fingernails, she was trying her best not to bite on them a habit she developed as a child whenever she felt nervous or uneasy. They were on their way to meet the OB-GYN for what felt like the hundredth time. Riley and Liam have been married for two years and were unsuccessful in producing an heir, something that they were being put under pressure for ever since they were married.

They tried the natural way during their first year of marriage when that didn’t work they opted for other options like IVF and IUI even some traditional methods but nothing worked. “Everything will be alright love.” Liam takes her hand assuring her. “Liam, I can’t go through with this again. What if it’s a false alarm again? What if I’m not pregnant.”

Liam wraps his arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer. “Then we try again, there are some couples who try ten year before they are able to conceive.”

“But we’re not like other couples, we don’t have time. The longer Cordonia doesn’t have an heir the more dangerous it will be for the monarchy. What if something bad happens?”

“Hey look at me Riley.” He tilted her chin with his fingers so she’s looking at him. “I will never let anything bad happen to us. Whatever it takes, remember?” Riley gives a grateful nod and leaned her head on Liam's shoulder. When they reached the doctor's office, the were both heartbroken to hear that their IVF treatment was yet again not successful.

At that point Riley had already felt like giving up and was considering a third option. “I think we should move to plan C.” She said in a perpetually tired voice, her eyes downcast. Liam is about to say something but she holds up her hand and continues. “Before you say anything, Hana and I already have a few candidates lined up and by the looks of it they seem pretty promising.”

“Love, I don’t want to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to.”

“But that’s just it Liam, I want this. I am just so tired with all the failed attempts, I just can’t do this anymore. I want to have a family with you even if it means I’m not the one who’s going to be carry them myself. It will still be our child and that’s the only thing that matters to me.”

Riley's request took Liam by surprise, he knew how much the whole pregnancy experience meant to her. He gets up from his chair and walks to where Riley is seated, he takes her hand in his and kneels in front of her, his eyes gazing warmly into hers. “My love, you know all I want is your happiness. If this is what you want, what you really want then you have my full support.”

If she was being honest, surrogacy was the last thing she wanted. What if something went wrong? Like the surrogate going rouge and running away with their baby? There have been such cases. But she didn’t want to be selfish, she knew how much having an heir meant to Liam and while he could wait the council couldn’t nor could the media.

Riley gives a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll have Madeleine set up an appointment for the candidates next week so the both of us can conduct the interview ourselves since we won’t have anything going on.”

Liam nods giving her a comforting squeeze. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

*************************

Liam sat in his office going through some documents that required his attention though his mind wasn’t really paying attention. Riley’s request kept ringing in his head, he wanted to make her happy and he would move heaven on earth for her. It’s not a big deal, a lot of people who can’t have a baby often go for surrogates.

He is suddenly pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of his office phone ringing and picks it up.

“Your majesty, there’s someone on line it’s someone calling from the states. She says it’s important, something about Maya Reinhart?”

“Maya Reinhart?” He mimicked, he only met one person with that name Maya and it was 6 years ago when Leo took him for an impromptu brothers bonding trip to LA.

6 years ago…

The sound of live music filled the air of the rooftop party in downtown Los Angeles. It was after Liam just graduated from college and Leo decided they should celebrate with their annual brothers trip.

“Look alive brother because tonight we're going to party out ass off.” Leo grinned patting Liam on the back. “Now take your pick, tonight we're are not two princes only a couple of two normal but still handsome young men looking for adventure.”

Liam shrugs. “And by adventure you mean a one night stand with someone?”

“Who said it was just the one?” Leo gave a mischievous grin, making Liam shake his head. “ Oh, if anyone asks what we do, just tell them we’re models or something. Now go have fun!” He eagerly pushed Liam into the crowd and heads the opposite direction toward the bar where a few ladies were seated and were ogling their eyes at him since they arrived.

Liam scanned the room taking in the lively atmosphere of the party, it was nothing like the balls they had back in Cordonia. There were no formalities or protocol they needed to follow, everyone could just have fun and let loose.

“Are you lost?” Liam whirled around and saw petite brunette with the most beautiful smile sitting by one of the L shaped couch next to the edge of the glass banister holding a book. But that wasn’t the only thing about her that caught his attention, what caught his attention was the colour of her eyes. One of it was blue while the other was half blue and half brown.

“Um.. No. I was actually looking for a place to sit. Do you mind?” He gestured to the empty space beside her. The woman gave a shrug before nodding and returned to read her book.

Liam sheepishly took a seat next to her. “So..why are you reading at a party?”

“Because I’m studying for the bar exam on Monday. I would rather stay at home but my housemate insisted I come, so here we are.” She said and closed her book, turning her attention towards Liam. “So what about you? Why are you doing at a place like this, clearly this must’ve been your first choice in your itinerary.”

“What gave you that impression?”

“Because you’re here talking to someone who’s reading a very boring textbook instead of enjoying himself sipping champagne by the table of supermodels over there.” She gestured to where Leo was standing.

“You’re right this wasn’t the first place I had in mind when I came to LA but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t starting to enjoy myself.” He grinned then extended his hand. “I’m Liam by the way. Liam….” He paused when he remembered not to use his real last name. “Deveraux. Liam Deveraux.” She smiled and shook his hand. “Maya.”

“Only Maya?” He raised an eyebrow. “For now, if you can keep me interested until the end of the night I might just give you my last name.” She playfully winked which made him snort out a laugh. “So Liam, I assume from your accent that you’re not from the states. What brings you to this side of the pond?”

“I’m here on a modeling job with my brother.” He lied then pointed to where Leo was standing.“He’s the one standing by the bar talking to those women.”

“Why aren’t you joining him?” She looked at him curiously.

“Because I’m enjoying the company I have now.” He grinned. “By the way, you have really pretty eyes.”

Maya chuckled. “It’s called sectoral heterochromia. It’s sort of genetic but very uncommon in humans. My grandmother on my mother’s side had it. People normally stare at me weirdly when they first notice my eyes, like I’m some sort of alien or something.”

“Well I think it’s beautiful.” He smiled and her cheeks started to blush. As the night went on the two talked and drank, enjoying each others company. After four bottles later Liam finally worked up the courage to ask Maya to dance with him.

The two swayed rhythmically to the beat of the music with Maya’s back pressed in front of Liam, his hands moved along the silhouette of her body and his lips inches away from her neck. He spun her around to face him and capture her lips in a heated kiss ignoring the crowd around them. She pulled back letting out a soft giggle and gazed into his dark blue eyes, both smiling back.

After that, everything else went by quickly. Liam invited Maya to his suite for coffee but one thing lead to another and the next thing he knew they were both eagerly taking each others clothes off and having mind blowing sex. The next day he woke up and Maya was already gone, the only thing she left was a piece of note on the bed that said. Thanks for last night, Maya. Liam let out a sigh then plopped back onto his pillow and murmured. “She didn’t give me her last name.”

Present day….

“Put them on.” Liam said. “Hello am I talking to his majesty King Liam Rys or Cordonia?” The person asked it was a voice of a woman but it sounded nothing like Maya. “Yes this is he and please call me Liam, may I know who is on the line?”

“My name is Leah Sanchez, I am a friend of Maya’s.” She sputters. “I don’t even know if you even remember her…”

“Yes I remember Maya, we met that one time 6 years ago. What’s this call about? Did something happen to her is she alright?”

There was a short moment of silence before the woman said something. “Liam, Maya passed away a few weeks ago from ovarian cancer and I’m sorry for springing this information on you but there is something else you need to know. When she died she left behind a son. Liam, he is your son.

***************

I’m using tags from my other TRR Series and adding other’s that I think would be interested in this series. Do let me know if you want to stay on the list. if you would like to be added or removed.

TRR/TRH - @charliejane-blog @dcbbw @hopefulmoonobject @cmestrella @pixieferry @lodberg @traeumerinwitzhelden @romanticatheart-posts @gnatbrain @the-soot-sprite @texaskitten30 @ao719 @desiree-0816 @emceesynonymroll @jessiembruno @kinkykingliam @jlpplays1 @annekebbphotography @thecordoniandiaries @cora-nova @rainbowsinthestorm @jessiembruno @leelee10898 @client-327 @kingliam2019 @dangerouseggseagleartisan @zaffrenotes

[camillemontespan]

i see you [AU. drake walker] [chapter one: sleeping beauty]

I posted a teaser of this yesterday. Here’s a full blown chapter. Let me know what you think. If it’s shit, I won’t pursue a second chapter.

Warnings: NSFW.

@jovialyouthmusic @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @pug-bitch @sirbeepsalot @moonlightgem7 @emceesynonymroll @burnsoslow @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @notoriouscs @drakesensworld @stopforamoment @rainbowsinthestorm @katedrakeohd @be-still-my-aching-heart

*****************************************************************************

I had to do it.

I watched as you fell with a look of sheer terror on your face and you know what? I smiled.

Do you think I enjoy seeing the way he looks at you? Or how he holds your hand, as if he’s afraid you’ll let him go. Do you think I appreciate how he smiles at you, that warm smile that makes the corners of his eyes crinkle, the one that he gave me once that made me feel like the only person in the room? That smile should be for me. It was once. You took that smile and kept it for yourself.

I watched you in court, dressed in your finery, your hair pulled up into that fucking signature chignon, the curve of your throat on display which I would see him kiss whenever you danced together.

I danced nearby and would hear him tell you how much he loved you. He loved you. I hated you.

You were always so.. nice. You were kind to me. I treated you the same way; keep friends close, enemies closer right?

You fell for it. You may be kind but you’re fucking gullible.

That said, I still envied you. I still wanted to be you. I wanted your life and that included the man you took from me.

You walked into court in a cloud of Chanel perfume, coconut shampoo and bright smiles and you stole his heart.

I will never forgive you for that.

So now, you understand why I had to do it. Don’t you?

Or shall we go back to the beginning?

       **********************************************************************

Kiara was knocked out of her reverie when she saw Drake running down the corridor towards her. She felt her heart leap in her chest; he looked so handsome. So dark, so strong.

‘Kiara!’ Drake cried. ‘Is she in there?’

He gestured to the hospital room that Kiara was standing outside. Kiara nodded, her eyes sad. ‘Yes, Drake.’

Drake rushed through the door into the hospital room where Camille was located. She was under the covers, her eyes closed with her hair fanned out across the pillow, like a modern day Sleeping Beauty.

Kiara watched as Drake crumpled over the bed and scooped Camille up into his arms, holding her close.

Shall we go back to the beginning?

     ******************************************************************************

Kiara was trying her best to appear nonchalant. She was sat at the table with a glass of champagne in her hand and she laughed at the right jokes and gasped at appropriate times as she listened to the nobles around her.

She had trained herself to become a master of deception. Kiara could pretend that she was interested in an incredibly dull conversation while she was acutely aware of the shadow in the room that had her undivided attention.

Drake Walker.

He was sat on the edge of the ballroom by himself. Wearing a suit that was too small for him and with a glass of whiskey in his hand, it was clear that Drake didn't fit in with this room or the people who inhabited it.

Kiara wanted to change that for him.

While Olivia and Madeleine made fun of Drake for being the only commoner in the court and accused him of riding on Prince Liam's coat tails, Kiara never did.

She liked Drake. A lot actually, though she would never admit it. Better to stay quiet and under the radar than attract unwanted attention and gossip.

Kiara admired Drake from afar as she had done everyday for the past five years that she had known him.

Drake never noticed her. Why would he? While he was Liam's best friend who knew everyone, Kiara was the quiet and studious Duchess who visited the palace three times a year for social gatherings. She was shy and timid, two things she hated about herself. She wished she was like Olivia who was confident and secure in herself, who didn't take any shit, but Kiara wasn't like that. She would never be like that.

Little meek dorky Kiara.

She used to wear glasses and had adult braces. She had hated both. Whenever she was with the other Duchesses, like Madeleine who was so statuesque and blonde, Kiara felt inferior. It didn't help that Madeleine teased her about her looks all the time. It was torture.

The first time she met Drake, it was outside the palace library. She was late for dinner and, in a blind panic, ran out of the library and dropped her glasses.

'Wait!'

Drake was holding her glasses out to her. 'You dropped these.'

Kiara reddened and took them. 'I should get contacts because these are the bane of my existence,' she muttered.

'I think they're nice,' Drake said before giving her a warm smile and walking away down the corridor.

That was when Kiara saw him. She saw the real Drake Walker. Not the moody man who sat in the shadows at balls like a petulant child. She saw the Drake Walker who didn't care about appearances. The Drake Walker who saw her.

Now, five years on, she wore contacts at social gatherings and her teeth were straight. Madeleine had teased her too much about the glasses that Drake had liked- she teased so much that Kiara didn't wear them anymore.

Somehow, she wished she had kept wearing the glasses because it meant Drake could see the real Kiara. Not this polished and sophisticated Kiara that she presented now. No. The real Kiara who was still inside. The one who wore glasses and adult braces and loved National Geographic and whose idol was Maya Angelou.

He may not see the real Kiara anymore but Kiara could still see the real Drake.

They barely spoke. But yet, everytime she saw him, her heart sped up and she could feel her hands become clammy. She wished she could just talk to him like a normal person.

Why couldn't she?

Because if she talked to him, she would be dragged by Madeleine and Olivia.

Kiara closed her eyes and willed herself to stop being pathetic. She could do what she wanted. Madeleine wasn't her boss.

Madeleine could go fuck herself.

Kiara downed her glass of champagne and stood up, running her hands down her hips to make sure her dress was straight. She was going to do it. She was going to sit beside Drake and talk to him.

She stopped short when she saw that the seat beside Drake was now being filled. Kiara felt her heart sink.

Camille.

Camille Montespan, the new girl at court, had sat down beside Drake. She was dressed in a grey silk bias cut dress and her dark hair was pulled up into a chignon. Kiara bet Camille had never had braces or wore glasses. She probably never had an awkward phase. She always looked so elegant and regal, which was absurd because she was American and a commoner to boot. How was that fair?

Kiara wished her fellow noble, Maxwell, hadn't brought his new American friend home with him. Camille had changed everything as soon as she set foot in the palace.

Kiara sat back down slowly and watched as Camille gently stroked Drake's neck as they spoke, looking out at the ballroom.

Kiara knew they were fucking.

Nobody else did but because Kiara always watched Drake, she knew that Drake and Camille were having an affair.

They were good actors. If Kiara hadn't been so eagle eyed, she wouldn't have realised either. Drake and Camille stole moments alone at balls just like this one, making it look like Camille was keeping him company, just being friendly.

Only Kiara knew that they snuck off halfway through and came back twenty minutes later, separately. Camille's hair was always slightly askew after while Drake spent too much time adjusting his shirt, paranoid he would give the game away.

Kiara knew every code and every nuance because she always had her eyes on Drake Walker.

                     *************************************************

'Wanna get out of here?' Camille murmured under her breath. Drake smiled and took a sip of his whiskey before whispering back, 'See you in the corridor in two minutes.'

Camille squeezed his hand quickly and stood up, walking casually out of the ballroom. Drake's eyes followed her, his trousers tightening.

Since Camille had joined the court two months ago, Drake's life had changed. She had genuinely changed his life for the better. At first, he had tried to keep his distance. He was naturally guarded after years of being taunted and laughed at by the nobles, so he first viewed Camille as the newest person who would add to his misery.

But she didn't.

Camille was friendly and kind as soon as she met him. As the newcomer, she was nervous and Drake began to gradually find himself with her all the time, the two commoners on the sidelines. He would offer her advice and they traded jokes and secret glances, fingertips brushing underneath tables.

She made him feel like he was somebody. Somebody who was worthy. She defended him to Olivia and Madeleine. She made sure to dance with him at balls so he was part of the room.

It could have seemed like she pitied him except she actively sought him out for private moments. Moments in between as Drake called them. They would sneak out the palace to go to dive bars in the city. She would visit his room so they could share a bottle of whiskey and watch films.

They would talk about their parents, their lives outside of court, their hopes and dreams. Drake opened up to her in a way he had never done with anyone else. She became his safe harbour, the lighthouse standing watch over a stormy sea, there to make him feel safe.

When they gave in and slept together at Lythikos a month ago, it had been a revelation.

Drake left the ballroom discreetly, not that he would be missed anyway. He found Camille waiting for him in the empty corridor. Without saying a word, she took his hand and pulled him into the powder room and locked the door.

Drake lifted her onto the sink, his hands roaming up under her dress. Camille wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him deeply.

'I'm sick of fucking you in powder rooms,' Drake muttered against her mouth, tugging on her bottom lip with his teeth. Camille ran her hands down his arms.

'You're the one who won't go public..' she whispered in his ear. 'I want us to be out in the open but someone thinks it would be a disaster.'

Drake stopped kissing her to look at her steadily. 'Only because you deserve better than me,' he told her. 'If you announced you were with me, everyone would judge you. I'm not bringing you down to my level. I won't have them make your life a living hell.'

Camille stared at him. 'If they even tried to, I'd have something to say about that, Drake Walker.'

Drake blushed and looked down at her hands which were holding onto his arms. 'You should be with someone like Liam,' he said.

'Bullshit,' Camille said softly. 'You know I want to be with you. You understand me. We're the same. You make me happy. Why won't you just accept that?'

She leaned forward and kissed him again.

'All I want is to shout from the rooftops how much I love you,' she murmured. Drake pulled back, his eyes wide.

'You.. You love me?'

Camille giggled. 'Was that not obvious? I love you, Drake Walker.'

Drake blinked, as if he had just been given news that had changed his entire future. Well, in a way, he had. She loved him.

'I love you too,' he told her, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. He had never told anyone he loved them before. But he did love her. He really loved her. He had just pushed it down because he kept feeling that she deserved someone better.

Drake's mouth crashed against hers and Camille let out a low moan. He unbuckled his belt and pulled down his boxers, releasing himself.

'I love you, Drake,' she repeated, her eyes dark. Drake positioned himself at her entrance and teased her slowly.

'Oh god, just fuck me,' she burst out, impatient for him. Drake chuckled and he filled her with his length, feeling all of her around him.

They moved relentlessly, like a freight train about to come off the tracks. Camille's fingernails dug into his back as she moved against him, wanting him desperately.

Drake kept her body close to his, inhaling her coconut scent and trying to keep his groans to a minimum.

Camille wasn't so successful. She cried out as he hit a good spot and he kept focusing on it, knowing he was pushing her over the edge.

Her body jerked against his and she let out a gutteral groan into the crook of his neck. Drake followed swiftly after, releasing into her.

He looked at her face which was glowing from exertion and happiness. Her hair had become undone.

'You're beautiful,' he told her, running his finger along her jawline. Camille blushed and kissed him softly.

'You make me feel beautiful,' she replied. Drake smiled and helped her down from the sink. She fixed her chignon and Drake buckled his belt and adjusted his suit jacket.

Camille turned to face him. 'I want to make us public,' she said, 'but if you're not ready, we don't have to.'

Drake shook his head. 'I was being an idiot. Let's do it. Let's go public. I want to show I’m with you.'

Camille shot him a megawatt smile and pulled him out of the powder room, laughing as he stumbled from his giddiness.

                           *******************************************************

Kiara sat in front of her dressing table with the mirror in front of her. She wore a silk grey dressing gown and she was studying her reflection. Her fingers raked through her long dark hair and gathered its tendrils up into a messy chignon.

Kiara kept gathering and making the hairstyle pretty until she got it the way she wanted.

Like Camille.

Kiara had dark hair like Camille. She had a similar skin tone. Brown eyes. Same hair if she put it up into a chignon.

Fuck, Kiara was more French than she was. More educated. More regal.

She was better.

So why had Drake chosen Camille instead?

[horansqueen]

AM Conversations : chapter 10

A Niall Horan fanfiction ; rated MA

CHAPTER 1 || CHAPTER 2 || CHAPTER 3 || CHAPTER 4 || CHAPTER 5 || CHAPTER 6 || CHAPTER 7 || CHAPTER 8 || CHAPTER 9

NOTES:

-one chapter is her pov, the next is his. -4.1k. -im sorry, i never proofread, i hate it. -there WILL be smut. but not only smut. -this is a romance, comedy, smut story. -for the summary, check my MASTERLIST.

- IF YOU WANT TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN THIS IS UPDATED, I THOUGHT I COULD START A TAG LIST SO LET ME KNOW. IF YOU’D RATHER ME NOTICED IN PRIVATE, MESSAGE ME TOO PLEASE!

-please, message me, give me feedbacks, it would mean sooo much to me!

Chapter 10 : His chapter

NIALL

I stopped the conversation I was having as soon as Liv entered the room. She tried to avoid my gaze, I knew it, and I also knew how she felt for living it too. To be honest, though, I thought it was less embarrassing that it happened as adults than as kids, perhaps because we knew each other well and also because we were both aware that masturbation was a very normal thing to do. I didn't know how she felt exactly though so when she took a seat between Harry and I, I was wondering who she actually wanted to be close to.

"Hey, Niall, are you listening?"

I blinked a few times and tried to put my attention back on the girl on the other side of me. Fuck, she was gorgeous. I had seen pretty girls in my life but she was just on a special category. I know everyone thinks that I had sex with Maya but the truth was, I didn't. They always assumed I did and I never corrected them but we actually never went really far. The reason why was stupid and I hated to remember it because no one in their right mind would choose anything over spending the night with this girl. No one. Well, except me, that one time.

"Yea, sorry, I'm a bit tired."

I glanced at Liv before looking back at Maya, resulting in her looking at my best friend too. I sent her a small smile and she did the same, pushing food in her plate with her fork. I had noticed she barely ate anything and it made me wonder why.

"Liv uh?"

I nodded slowly, pressing my lips together.

"Yep, that's her."

I was hoping Olivia wouldn't know we were talking about her but I had the feeling that even if she heard, she wouldn't say anything. Facing me after I caught her masturbating was something she was not ready to do yet.

I held my breath at that thought again and swallowed hard. I had barely seen anything. In fact, just her hand in her panties, but the thought in itself was insanely hot. I had never caught anyone else before and even if it was sort of embarrassing, it was also extremely exciting. The way she had moaned was arousing and I couldn't forget how good it sounded. Perhaps I just needed some and it was getting urgent but It reminded me of my dream again. The whole thing became suddenly even hotter.

"Right?"

I quickly got out of my thoughts and came back to reality. My eyes focused on Maya again and I cleared my throat.

"Wait, what?"

"She's the one you told me about?" she repeated, her eyebrows raised as I nodded casually.

"Yea, she's my best friend." I flatly pointed out, taking a sip of my beer, trying to ease my nerves.

"She seems very nice." Maya pointed, sending me an other smile. "Shy a bit, maybe? But I think it's just the effect Harry has on her."

Olivia was anything but shy when you really knew her but I was aware she didn't know everyone here and there were many of us. I was about to explain to Maya when she mentioned Harry and I suddenly didn't feel like saying anything else.

"You should have seen them in the car." Maya continued, placing a lock of her short blonde hair behind her ear. "Gemma and I left them alone but I don't think anything happened yet. The way he looks at her..."

I closed my eyes as Maya sighed exaggeratedly. This conversation was bothering me but I tried to calm the beatings of my heart as I gripped my beer harder. I wanted to change the subject but It felt like I couldn't move anymore.

"I mean, I want someone to look at me like that."

I breathed in and opened my eyes after a while, turning her way. She was staring at me and I frowned slightly before glancing at her plate.

"You're not hungry?" I asked, wanting to talk about anything but the potential relationship between my bandmate and my best friend.

I could swear I saw her blush slightly, looking away and putting her fork down on the table. I didn't want to make her feel bad but at the same time, I was glad we were talking about something else. The fact that everyone could see how Harry felt for Liv bothered me. it seemed like I was wrong about him and maybe, just maybe, he really wanted something serious with her. I was still skeptical, though, if only for the fact that Harry doesn't do serious relationships. I groaned at my own thought  and tried to push it out of my mind.

"I have a photoshoot in a few days." she admitted, avoiding my eyes. "And you know... pastas..."

I suddenly felt extremely bad for even asking and I sent her a small but sincere smile.

"I understand." I let out even if I wasn't sure it was true. "You should eat something though. I'm sure you can find something in the kitchen, Harry brought a lot of healthy food, trust me, I know. Just go grab something."

Her eyes softened and her lips curled and if I wanted to be honest, I didn't know what I did to deserve it, but she bent closer and kissed me gently, her lips barely touching mine.

"Thanks, Niall." she whispered before getting up and leaving the room.

I remained motionless for a few seconds and finally cleared my throat, turning back to my plate. I noticed Liv looking at me from the corner of my eyes but when I looked at her, she looked away and it made me sigh. We really needed to talk as soon as possible. I had decided to join her this weekend to mend things with her and make sure our friendship would survive but it seemed like the opposite was happening.

Half an hour later, everyone was done eating. A few people were washing the dishes and I decided to go back to my room to grab a sweater. I knew the night was a bit cold here but I tied it around my waist and unpacked a few things from my bags. I glanced a few times at the bed and couldn't help the small smile spreading on my lips every single time. The sheets were still a mess but the whole scene was still a bit funny to me. I tried to forget that it also turned me on slightly and finally left the room, closing the door behind me.

The rest of the house was quiet and finally found everyone in the backyard, sitting around a fire that Louis had just started. I noticed him walk back to his girlfriend and sit next to her. Immediately, Eleanor cuddled his side and leaned her head on his shoulder. Now that my eyes were roaming on everyone, I realized there was only two official couples and it made me feel better. Julie and Liam were cuddling too but she was sitting between his legs and he had his arms wrapped around her while he whispered something in her ear. She laughed and it made me roll my eyes with a smile as I joined them, grabbing a chair and bringing it closer to the fire.

Harry was putting marshmallows on a wooden stick but most of them were burnt and he always ended up blowing on them to smother the fire. He proposed me one and I accepted, regretting it almost right after. It didn't taste bad but it was incredibly sticky and I kept sucking on my fingers uselessly.

It took me about 15 minutes to realize Olivia wasn't there and I bent closer to Harry who did the same, still staring at the marshmallow he was holding over the fire.

"Hey, where's Liv?"

"In your room, I think."

"No." I frowned. "I was there only a few minutes ago and she wasn't in the house."

This time, he turned to me while I grabbed my phone in my pocket, quickly sending her a text message.

'Been looking for you?'

I looked up at Harry who was staring at me, probably waiting for what I was going to say next, but my eyes fell on my phone again when I heard it beep.

'Talking a walk in the forest, don't worry i'm not too far, I can see the fire from here.'

'Can I join you?"

I frowned when I noticed Harry was trying to read our conversation and took my phone further, getting annoyed. I wanted to tell him off but I knew it would be a bad idea so I bit my tongue a few times and licked my lips.

"She's alright, don't worry." I explained. "She's just taking a walk."

Harry nodded and we remained silent as I waited for my best friend's answer. I knew things were getting awkward between Harry and I but I didn't know what to do to bring our friendship back to what it used to be. I didn't want to admit that everything was changing and that it was fucking scaring me.

"You know, Niall." Harry let out in a low tone, staring at the fire before looking up at me. "I really like her, but if you have feelings for her, i'll back off."

My heart skipped a beat, my lips parted, and my head turned his way so fast I thought I heard my neck snap.

"What?"

My voice was low, coming out in a breath, and Harry just shrugged, sending me a sorry smile.

"I see it, you know? Things have changed between you two." he added in a calm way only Harry was able to pull off. "If you realized that you love her, it would hurt me, but I would understand."

I wanted to laugh, nudge him and tell him to stop being stupid, but I saw in his eyes that he was sincere and that he meant every word he told me. In fact, it seemed like he had really thought about it before actually talking to me about it, meaning it was probably something that had been bothering him for a while.

I stared at him, not really sure what I should tell him. Part of me wanted to tell him to back off but I knew it was selfish. I didn't have feelings for my best friend, I was just scared our friendship would change if she started dating Harry, but it was not a good reason to break what they could have and I would never do that to her. She'd never forgive me and i'd probably never forgive myself either. The other part of me wanted to reassure him and tell him that there was nothing between Liv and I but the words were stuck in my throat and I swallowed hard.

"Harry, I mean..."

The sound of my phone cut me short and I turned my phone back to look at my best friend's answer. Without thinking, I got up and passed my hand in my hair.

"Look, can we talk about that later?" I asked, not giving him time to answer. "I'm sorry okay? But don't worry."

My words meant nothing but he didn't argue, or at least, I didn't hear anything. I followed the path that lead to the forest and used my phone as a light to look at my feet, making sure I wouldn't stumble on anything. I saw her after a few minutes and realized the moon was almost full and it illuminated the way, making it easier than I thought to see around.

I smiled more when I saw Liv leaning against a tree and looking up at the starry sky. I took the few steps that were still separating us and she sighed as I put my hands in my pockets.

"Hey."

She glanced at me the way she had done it a few times while we were eating but couldn't hold my gaze. She shivered, bringing her arms around herself and rubbing her hands quickly on them. Shaking my head, I took the sweatshirt from around my waist and handed it to her. This time, she turned her head my way but her eyes fell on the shirt. She grabbed it with a smile and put it on, sighing and bringing her shoulders closer to her face.

"Thank you." she whispered, her eyes finally meeting mine as she rubbed one of her cheeks on the fabric of my shirt that she was now wearing.

"You're welcome."

The sleeves were too long but she grabbed the tips into her fists and even if she always did that, this time, I found it endearing.

"Why alone in the woods?" I asked after a few more seconds of silence.

"Oh you know me, I need time to think."

It was true. Sometimes, in the middle of a party, she could disappear. Normally, I'd find her locked in a bathroom or sitting in a desert hall, either thinking or typing something on her phone. She never told me exactly what she wrote but I guessed it was some sort of secret diary that she didn't show anyone and I never insisted.

"But you allowed me to join you." I pointed out, leaning against the same tree than her. "Am I special?"

I sent her a cheeky smile and she turned to look at me. Her face was incredibly close to me and I smiled even more.

"Come on, say it." I insisted, making her chuckle but roll her eyes.

"Yea yea, you're special, Niall."

The more we stared at each other, the more I realized I didn't want things to change. I couldn't hide it from myself anymore. I didn't want her to date Harry, I would never want to see her date someone with whom she could actually spend years. Harry was not that kind of guy but if he was actually ready to be in a real relationship with her, perhaps it was because what he felt for her was beyond what he had felt for other girls before. That's what bothered me. I lost my smile and it took me a few seconds to notice she did too. We were both staring at each other, lost in our own secret thoughts, and I suddenly felt like shit for the thoughts running in my head.

"It's so embarrassing that you caught me."

I raised my eyebrows and held my breath. We clearly were't thinking about the same thing and it made me think that catching her masturbating was futile in comparison of all the shitty thoughts I was having recently.

"Hey, you caught me too."

"Yea, over a decade ago. It's different." she pointed out with a grimace.

The way her nose raised up and her tongue stuck out slightly when she grimaced made me smile. It was adorable. Harry was right in a way, I was starting to see Olivia in a different light but it was not romantic love, it was simply all the little things i'd end up missing if our friendship ended. It made something twist in my stomach and I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the sadness that had suddenly invaded me.

"Masturbation is very normal, we both know it." I shrugged, leaning my head against the trunk. "Plus, I barely saw anything. It's not like you were naked or anything."

"That would have been... horrifying!"

"Tell me about it!" I joked with a laugh as she elbowed me hard, making me laugh even more. "Kidding!"

She chuckled again and closed her eyes as silence fell between us again. I loved that silence was never something uncomfortable between us. In fact, it was soothing in a way silence rarely is.

"Did you have time to finish when I left?"

She groaned, probably at the fact that I kept the conversation going, and shook her head. I felt bad knowing I stopped her. If Liv was allowing herself to masturbate in a house full of people she didn't know, there was no doubt about how horny she had been.

"What made you so horny anyway?"

This time, she blushed so hard I could see it even in the dark and it made me extremely curious. I pushed myself away from the tree with one of my feet and put myself in front of her, looking down in her eyes.

"You're not answering, so it was not Harry."

The surprise I read on her face made me smile more. She clearly was not shy when it came to tell me that she wanted to have sex with Harry. I had noticed them on the side of the pool and the way he touched her legs but she blushed at my question when she could have simply told me he's the one that aroused him. Obviously, it was something else. Or someone else.

"Who was it?" I repeated insistently. "If it's an other of my bandmates you're gonna be disappointed, they're both taken."

She rolled her eyes and I laughed more, taking one of my hands out of my pocket and leaning it against the tree, close to her head. I moved my face closer to hers, keeping my smile.

"Or maybe you realized that you were in love with the wrong Styles?"

Her eyebrows raised and she chuckled. I thought she was going to laugh at the possibility or her falling in love with Gemma but her answer made my heart jump in my chest.

"I am not in love with Harry."

"No?"

"No."

"Okay."

We stared at each other for a few more seconds and I noticed how good she smelled, even after a long warm day. Was that the perfume I bought her a few years ago for her birthday? It seemed to be mixed with something that smelled even better... was it the smell she always had?

"So, give me a clue. Boy or girl?"

She moved her chin up defiantly and sent me a mischievous smile. That's when I knew I would never know or at least, it would take a while and a lot more insisting to get the information.

"Boy." she admitted, licking my lips. "But I'll never tell you."

I licked my lips and her eyes dropped on them, making me smile again. I was close to her and the moonlight was shining on her face but all I could think about is how good she smelled. I held my breath at the feeling hitting my insides all of a sudden, making me realize that losing her would change my whole life and that I was not ready for that. I never would be. I bent closer, my nose almost touching hers, and her lips parted at the closeness, probably.

"I'll definitely find out one way or another." I whispered, my fingers trying to grip the trunk.

"No you won't." she breathed as an answer.

I tried to push away the thought of her masturbating from my mind but when I did, the only thing left was the dream that I had about her and my heart started throbbing.

"OLIVIA?"

Harry's voice made both of us jump and I moved away, putting my hands back in my pockets. My heart was racing and I didn't even know why. It was not like Liv and I were doing anything wrong or forbidden but it still felt like we had been caught and I couldn't understand why. A few seconds later, Harry appeared and when his eyes fell on her, he smiled fondly. I think I hadn't realized that he really liked her just yet but the more time passed, the more obvious it was getting.

"Hey, sorry guys, I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I cleared my throat and swallowed the bitter remark I wanted to let out before looking at my best friend and sending her a smile.

"No problem, i'll leave you two."

I walked away slowly and turned around, noticing Harry had taken her hand into his. They were both staring at each other and the short conversation I had had with Harry near the fire came back in my mind. I didn't understand why he would think I had feelings for my best friend, or that she could ever have these kind of feelings for me. It was so evident in the way she looked at him that she liked him. I simply shrugged and made my way back to the others.

The fire was still up and everyone was still cuddling or talking. I took a seat next to Maya who immediately turned to me and sent me a smile.  I mirrored it but turned back to the fire quickly. It's not that I didn't want to talk to her but I sort of felt overwhelmed by everything that was happening and I really needed to think about it. I didn't notice it when she brought her chair closer to mine but I jumped slightly when I felt her hand on my thigh. My head snapped up and out eyes met, making me slightly uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?"

She was gorgeous from up close and I held my breath as I looked at her. I knew we used to have a little flirting game and that it was meant to end up in the bedroom but I was not sure anymore that I wanted it. I had hoped for it before and backed away last minute and here I was, in the same situation, not knowing what I should do. I was not even sure what she wanted or what she expected from me and it seemed way too messy for me.

"Yea, i'm good." I replied with a nod. "Just a bit tired."

She nodded too and smiled more, her eyes not leaving mine and her hand warming my thigh.

"It's too bad we couldn't share a room."

I felt suddenly guilty or tensed or both and glanced behind myself to see if Liv and Harry were coming back. I didn't want to tell Maya that I was not interested because I really was. No one in their right mind would reject a girl like her. But I was not ready or interested in a relationship and I didn't want things to become awkward now that we were all stuck in the same house for a few days. I looked back at her and sent her a small smile.

"Yea, I guess." I shrugged, leaning against my chair and trying to ignore the way she squeezed my thigh. "I'm sharing my room with Liv, so."

"Maybe she could have shared a room with Harry?" she explained as I tried not to grimace again. "We could ask her if she'd be okay with that."

I felt my heart jump in my chest at the thought, wondering how I would get out of this one. Sharing a room with Maya seemed weird and the thought of Liv and Harry in the same room made me anxious.

"I don't know, I don't want her to think I want to get rid of her."

"I'm sure she'll understand."

I sighed low, getting a bit annoyed that she was insisting, but I quickly looked away.

"I'll ask her."

Without waiting for an answer, I got up, feeling her hand slip on my thigh and I suddenly felt relieved. What the fuck was wrong with me? Why couldn't I just enjoy the attention I was getting? Why didn't I jump on the occasion yet? It was getting ridiculous and I closed my eyes, pissed at myself for the way I reacted.

"Hey guys, how about we go watch a movie?" I proposed loud enough for everyone to hear.

I heard a bunch of positive answers and everyone got up slowly. I watched Louis smother the fire and finally looked behind me again.  I was starting to feel very nervous that they were not coming back but I was not sure why, and I felt my heart sink low in my chest. It was stupid to feel incomplete just because my best friend was gone but it was still my reality. I had spent every single day with her for months now and I didn't want things to change. Closing my eyes, I fought the urge I had to walk back into the woods to find them and clapped in my hands.

"Alright guys, I get to choose the movie."

[idkthisisjustforfanfic]

Part VIII - The Untimely Downfall of Strangers

THEN - Day 1

The sun was setting behind the trees in Margot Jones’ fancy neighborhood. This was America. After all the time I’d spent wondering about it as a kid, after the first radio tour we did when we really only saw cities and highways--this was the whole romanticized idea of the States.

Big houses on tree lined streets--green leaves and flowers and driveways and people walking dogs and riding bikes. It was warm and still so light out, even though it was nearly 7pm.

And I wasn’t nervous--despite the fact that Louis felt the need to give me shit in the car ride over. I wiped my hands on my pants as we climbed out of the backseat of the black car that shuttled us places--Maya was the first to greet us in the driveway.

There was a basketball hoop, and beneath it stood a boy who looked about 15--a swooped hair style and basketball shorts. Margot’s brother.

“You actually came!” Maya smiled at Liam, who seemed to lead the way.

“Course we did,” he answered, holding his arms out to let her hug him. “Think we’d blow you off?” She tossed the basketball in her hands to Niall, who barely caught it but seemed to straighten up rather quickly.

“Ben, this is Liam, that’s Niall, then Zayn, Harry, and Louis.” Maya pointed each of us out. Hearing our names in a line like that was typical, but coming from a 13-year-old with an American accent seemed to make the moment seem even more surreal. Ben--who looked rather disinterested--held his hands out for Niall to toss the ball back to him.

“Hi!” Margot’s voice sounded from behind them as she emerged from further in the backyard. She wasn’t wearing the same make up she’d worn before. No eyeliner, no purple shirt. She had a baggy blue sweatshirt on and denim shorts. She looked like the quintessential American girl.

“Long time no see,” Louis smiled at her, she crossed her arms as she walked up to us. Maya grabbed the ball back from Ben and proceeded to launch it at the hoop.

She raised her eyebrows at his sarcasm but made eye contact with me. “Thanks for coming, thanks for making Maya’s life.”

“We did hear that burgers are the best way to really experience America,” Niall shrugged his shoulders.

And I think it was. We sat at a big patio table outside and listened to her siblings bicker. Niall and Zayn played against Ben and Louis in the driveway, Maya seemed pleased to sit on the edge of the driveway and call out different insults at her brother. I wondered what she’d tell her friends in school tomorrow.

Margot--however, was quiet and calm and seemed rather relaxed. It took about an hour, but I finally had the courage to find a spot next to her on the grass.

“I think this is the most American night I’ve ever had,” I told her, crossing my legs beneath me.

She let out a laugh, looking over to me before looking back at the game in front of us. “Burgers, basketball,” she shrugged, “only thing you need is firecrackers.”

I smiled--there was something about her subtle humor that made me feel challenged, almost as if making her laugh or smile was a game.

“So--any tips?” I asked, changing the topic if only to grab her interest. She looked up at me with knitted eyebrows. “For this whole fame thing, I mean.”

She let out a short laugh--sarcastic almost, as if she wished she had a good answer to my question. She was quiet for second, staring down at the nail polish on her thumb to gather her thoughts. “I guess just take breaks--take time off when you need it.”

I nodded. “Yeah--we’ve been good about that so far,” I shrugged my shoulders. Touring was brutal. It was fun, it was busy, it was an amazing experience that we were lucky to have. But it was still work. “Got some time off now, sort of. Finishing up the second album here for a few months.”

She plucked at the grass beneath us, the sun finally slipping beneath the trees. “Where are you recording it?”

“Capitol and then at Silent Siren, in West Hollywood--do you know it?”

Her face lit up--her mood shifted. Whatever trace of anxiety in her voice as she warned me about taking breaks seemed like it had disappeared. She smiled wide and tilted her head to the side. “My producer and Paul are really close--I recorded a song there on my last album. It’s great.”

Her hair, up in a ponytail now, had a few loose strands beside her face. “Good to hear, yeah--we’re excited to be in L.A. for a little bit.”

“You might get sick of it eventually. It’s kind of crowded and busy. You just have to find the hidden gems,” she smirked at me, her eyes on mine and somehow, that made it feel like the other eight people in the yard were suddenly miles away.

The sound of Niall’s high-pitched shrieking brought me back to reality--apparently he was cheering over the fact that Maya had finally made a free throw. Margot’s attention had turned to my bandmate, he hoisted Maya up, garnering laughter from the rest of the crew.

“You could show me some of them,” I said quietly, watching her watch my friends. She turned to look at me when she heard my voice, a small smile still on her lips.

She nodded, only to be distracted by the continued noises of victory as Niall began to take a lap around the driveway.

THEN - Day 14

The first place on Margot’s list was a cafe in Malibu. She claimed it had the best scones around, which she decided was something I--being British--should be the judge of. 

The second was a beach in Malibu--big rocks overlooking the ocean. Point Dume. She said one day she wanted to live near it.

The third place was the empty Greek Theatre. She said it was the best place to come and think if you felt extremely overwhelmed. I think she liked the fact that it was a theatre, it probably felt somewhat familiar, even if it was empty.

I found myself on her couch one night after she’d shown me Point Dume and the Greek in one day. We’d had lunch and I drove a car that belonged to our manager’s friend. She put the windows down and hummed along to the radio.

Her parents had greeted us when we came back that afternoon. Maya--upon realizing my presence in their house--immediately asked if I could stay for dinner. Margot’s mother, who’d probably had her fair share of me by now, agreed with a smile.

After the first night of burgers and basketball, Maya seemed to beg her mother every single day to have us for dinner. But every single day on set, when Maya would show up with her backpack after school, Margot would agree that it’d be fun for us to come, to really show us the real American ways.

So now, sitting on the couch with little to no distance between us, her mother and step-father bid us goodnight and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

The TV was on--some sitcom on CBS played quietly in the background. I decided it wouldn’t necessarily be a terrible idea to rest a hand on her knee, so I did it before I could talk myself out of it.

“I had a great day,” I said, speaking slowly to counteract the pace at which my heart was beating. “Good to know the places where locals hang out.”

She smiled, a slight dimple forming in her left cheek. “I’m just glad that being a tour guide is something I could fall back on after the show ends.”

She’d mentioned that this season would be her last--she’d shared the first night in her driveway that she wondered what would come next. She told me at Geoffrey’s that sometimes it kept her up at night.

“I think you’ll be just fine,” I said, hoping to reassure her somewhat. “But at least you know some of the Los Angeles history.”

This gained a bigger laugh, she reached her left hand over to trace lines down my fingers. “You’ll have to come on every single one, though.”

“Happily,” I said, watching as her skin moved against mine.

She was quiet for a second, I think we both felt it. I think we both knew it was coming. Instead of wondering if I should or thinking that I shouldn’t, I just did.

I leaned in and kissed her. That’s when I knew we could make it work.

THEN - Day 1347

I didn’t mean to make an album that made her sound like a twat. It just kind of happened.

Mitch looked at me from his spot on the couch. I was stood, plucking at my lower lip, listening to the words that my own voice sang on the track.

“Have you thought at all about her hearing it?” He asked with his arms folded over his chest. He paused. “I mean--do you think she’ll be pissed?”

I thought for a second and licked my lips. Ryan cut the track and rewound it a few measures.

I shrugged my shoulders and let out a laugh. Did I think about it? Of course I did. I thought about where she’d be, what she’d think, if she’d call. I thought about all of it. And then I realized I didn’t care. I couldn’t care.

“If she doesn’t like what I have to say then,” I paused, not really knowing where I was going. “Then she should look in the fucking mirror.”

Mitch laughed a little, the smile on my face seemed to be permission for the others to be amused by my anger as well.

They’d heard it all--they’d heard the story of what happened and they heard the songs. They heard the lyrics and they’d sat and listen to me explain why I wanted the production to be a certain way.

I wanted the fifth track to be simple with just guitar--the kind of song she always loved. I wanted the last track to have a building bridge with strings--she always used them well in her own music. I wanted the words to hurt her like she hurt me and I wanted the music behind them to make her feel something.

I didn’t even know if she was capable of that anymore.

“I think we should change the background vocal there,” I said, holding up a finger, waiting for Ryan to pause. He looked up, waiting for Jeff to butt in and give his two cents.

Maybe it was petty. Maybe writing an album about her was pathetic or weak or stupid. Maybe she’d never listen.

I didn’t really care. I wanted the production to be familiar to her--familiar enough that she felt as if she’d been a part of the writing process. Because, I guess, in a way, she was.

“Do you know where she is now?” Mitch asked from the couch again. He leaned forward now--his elbows resting on his knees as he looked up at me. I was still stood in the center of the room, my t-shirt still somewhat wet from the rain that had rolled in after lunch. He’d never been so curious about it. In fact, none of them had. I’d get talking and divulge pieces here and there, but no one ever asked specific questions--I think they were worried of what might happen if they did. 

Now, though, it didn’t bother me. Mitch’s questions only seemed to pull words out of me. 

“Dunno,” I said, walking to sit beside him, watching as Ryan pressed a few buttons on the board. “L.A., I assume. Maybe Raleigh. Maybe Antarctica.”

Mitch let out a sigh, turning his head to see me out of the corner of his eye. “She’ll hear it.”

I thought on his words for a second. She might. She might be intrigued and listen and see the headlines. She might avoid it all together. Maybe she made Sinead go through every single social media platform and block me. Maybe she’d never even know the album even existed.

I wasn’t making it so she would hear it. At moments it felt like that--it felt like everything I poured into it would land upon her ears and convey the things I’d never be able to speak. The reality, though, was that it was helping.

Spending my days going over the details, recounting the story over and over seemed to soften the blow. The more I had to think back on it for creativity’s sake, the less power it held over me.

Now--with most of the songs in the final stages of production, I at least didn’t feel like I was constantly ready to explode. There were days where I was more angry than others. Times when I was more sad than I’d been in a while.

At this point though, the sadness had faded quite nicely to a general tolerance. Maybe I wasn’t happy, maybe she still popped into my thoughts or my dreams or I heard myself saying things she would say, but I wasn’t completely useless.

I could have a few beers with the guys and I could socialize and meet new people. I could have a one night stand with some girl and spend only three-quarters of the time wishing it was her. And then I’d get mad about the fact that I was even thinking about her at all.

THEN - Day 309

Margot was sat beside me, the large armrest pushed back to allow us better access. After all, who knew when we’d see each other next.

Her feet were up on the seat across from her, the window shade pulled down to block the sun from streaming in the windows. The hum of the airplane cabin seemed to soothe her--enough to the point where she seemed like she was close to drifting off.

“I wish I could just quit my tour,” she laughed a little, her voice only loud enough for me to hear. Sinead was behind us, likely catching up on emails and doing whatever she needed to do to whisk Margot back to where she was supposed to be.

“You don’t mean that,” I smiled down at her, letting my cheek rest on the top of her head.

“I don’t,” she admitted. A long sigh escaped her lips and I wondered how tired she was.

Sometimes she seemed like she never needed sleep. Sometimes she seemed so excited and energized and happy that I wondered how long she could make it without any shut eye. Maybe it was the fact that we’d been fresh off a long weekend together, she was going back to her last leg of her tour, and soon enough we’d both have a month off.

Flying back and forth was exhausting--early mornings and late nights and time changes led to a bit of frustration at times, but Margot always managed to smile through it. I was thankful for her strength.

I learned a lot from her, really. She’d been around the block a few times and she definitely knew a thing or two about how to keep yourself sane when it feels like the two hours you have to yourself are suddenly claustrophobic. She warned me early on that I’d get to a point where the silence was deafening and I’d wonder what on earth I was good for.

She was the person I called when those moments hit.

“I just wish I could be with you twenty-four-seven,” she laughed, pulling back to look up at me. Her big blue eyes seemed to pull out more emotion than usual--most likely due to the impending separation.

“You’d absolutely be sick of me in three days,” I argued, scrunching my nose at her.

“Would not,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I plan on keeping you around forever.”

The words left her mouth without much thought, that I could tell from the look on her face once she realized the weight of what she’d said.

We hadn’t really talked about that yet. We hadn’t talked long term more than just the next few months. I think, in reality, both of us were probably scared shitless that we’d be another one of those young, Hollywood couples that lasts a year tops and then flutters on to the next. The way her eyes got big and nervous told me that the thought had definitely crossed her mind.

I smiled at her, waiting to see if she had more to say. When it was clear that she didn’t, I cleared my throat. “I love you, and if you want me, I’ll gladly stay forever.”

She nodded, seemingly appreciative of my honesty. “I’d like that,” she said.

And I thought that was it--I thought she’d put her head back down on my shoulder and sleep for the next two hours back to New York. But instead of doing that, she locked her eyes on something in the distance and something inside of her shifted.

“What?” I asked, almost worried by the look on her face.

She shrugged, bringing her eyes back to meet mine--almost as if she wanted to play it off. “I just--do you ever wonder if we’ll be able to handle it?”

I could feel the expression on my face change--I assumed it was now mirroring hers: scared and unsure. “Handle what? Forever?”

She nodded--she looked like she was on the verge of tears, so I reached a hand forward to rest on her leg. I had no idea what to say. How do you tell your girlfriend that yes, you worry every day if you’ll last but still manage to tell her you love her and it’s not her, it’s them?

It’s the magazines and the websites and the people with cameras who scream at you when you go outside. It’s the rumors and the photos and the nosey people. It was never her.

She tried to warn me in the beginning--she told me that she didn’t think it was a good idea. I couldn’t really blame her; I knew people would be wanting to know every single detail. I just liked her too much to care.

“I mean, I worry sometimes about the work it takes, but not about you or me, or us.”

She thought on that for a second, tracing circles on my hand as Sinead got up to use the restroom. “You don’t ever believe the stupid things they write about me online, do you?”

“I don’t,” I shook my head. “I know you better than The Mirror does.”

She let out a tiny laugh at this, something still blocking her from really being present. I could sense that sometimes--she did this thing where her body was in the room but her mind was somewhere else. I mean, we all did it, but Margot did it a lot.

She nodded now--a long, continuous nod as her eyes seemed to well with tears. “Thank you,” she said, “for putting up with me. And for loving me and helping me realize there’s a lot of good in life.”

The tears were on her cheeks now, they seemed to be coming steadily, I reached an arm forward to pull her into me, only because I didn’t know how to respond. “Margot, of course, lovie, I love you so much,” I told her.

“I love you,” she said, pushing her face into my chest as if to hide from the emotions she felt.

“What is all of this about?”

She wiped a hand across her face, only smearing the wetness. “I’m just tired,” she shrugged. “I was really tired at the end of the show and for a while,” she stopped, she held her breath and looked at her hands. She was referring to her TV show. She was referring to when we met--the strange time in her life where she had two choices: keep going or give it up.

“For a while what?”

“I didn’t know if I could do it.”

She meant her job. Music. Tours. Studio. Albums. Acting. Talk shows. All of it.

“But meeting you and the guys and being able to get out of L.A. and have places to go--it made it okay.”

I smiled down at her, touched by her words and her openness and the fact that she was saying this all to me on a private flight into JFK.

“I love you, Margot, forever.”

She laughed a little, likely at her own emotions and then she brought her eyes up to mine again. She said she’d love me forever. I really believed her.

NOW - Day 1701

I found myself headed for her house on a Tuesday afternoon when the sun was shining. I’d had to do a little digging--first I called Niall, he said he didn’t know the address. I called Niall’s assistant, who’d had it written down somewhere. I plugged it into my phone and was on my way before I knew it.

Maybe showing up at her house was too much--maybe I should have called or given a warning. Something about that didn’t seem quite fair, though, seeing as I never got one from her about anything.

Showing up without warning was one thing, but I was showing up in the first place to warn her about something else. The reality of the situation was that Margot was about to be under the microscope again with my album being released.

Whether or not I wanted it to happen, it was going to. People were going to talk about her and about what she said and did and went through and what she was up to now. I’d made my peace with the fact that my album would undoubtedly give her a lot of publicity, even if she didn’t want it.

So sure, maybe showing up unannounced was a little strange, but she was lucky I gave enough of a shit to let her know.

I parked my car at the top of her slanted driveway and counted the twelve steps it took me to get closer to her house before she opened the door. “Hi,” she called out, causing me to look up from the driveway as I made my way towards her.

“Hi,” I breathed out, holding a hand up to block the sun. I picked up my pace to come to the front step. Once I stood in front of her, my throat felt tight. I let out a sigh to try and steady the emotion that I felt bubbling inside of me. “Do you have a second?”

“Uh,” she looked back into the living room like she’d left something behind, but then she looked back to me. I wondered what she did in her spare time. “Sure, what’s up?”

I licked my lips and let a hand rub against the back of my neck. “I just wanted to touch base with you--uh, about the release.” I checked behind me, suddenly feeling like we were being watched--which was likely the same paranoia that she often felt at the end of our relationship.

“Can I come in?”

“Yeah,” she said quietly, stepping aside to shut the door behind us once we were both in the entryway of her house.

We’d texted only a bit after we had coffee--I did that thing--I sent questions just to get her to respond. Eventually she stopped answering.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked around a bit--the floors were marble and met a nice staircase that headed to a private second floor. I could just see the ocean through the window in the kitchen--an open floor-plan was something she’d always wanted.

“I’ve talked with my PR people about different responses--I mean, I figure people will ask me questions about you.” I spit it out quickly, worried that if I made too much small talk she’d tell me to leave or I’d back out all together.

She stared at me, her eyes empty and clear of any emotion.

“It’s fine, Harry, I trust you.”

I didn’t know what to say--I think the words hit me in the stomach so quick that my brain couldn’t catch up. It wasn’t that I expected her to be difficult, but, Margot was the kind of person who didn’t back down easily. I had no idea how she’d want to handle the coming weeks, but her words felt oddly calming to my nervous heart.

She stared at me again, maybe waiting for a response, but she didn’t say anything. I stared back at her.

“You’re thinking,” I said, a bit of a smirk crossing onto my face.

She rolled her eyes and headed towards the kitchen. “I’m always thinking.”

I took it as a sign to follow her, letting out a laugh at her playful words. “I know--it’s your fatal flaw.”

She turned quickly to look at me over her shoulder, causing me to immediately change my expression. Apparently it was too soon for joking about our issues. “Sorry.”

She turned back around and reached up to the cabinet, taking out a box of tea I liked--I wondered if she kept it around out of habit.

I didn’t mean to say it--I didn’t meant to piss her off in the first three minutes of being in her house. Now in the kitchen, I could see a full view of the ocean, her cliffside house was a mix of a castle and a hideaway, I assume she picked it for the latter.

She started the kettle and set her hands on the counter, looking out the window with her back still to me. I wondered if her chest felt as achey as mine.

“I sound like a jerk on your album.”

I watched her--I took in the way her hair fell down her back over her blue sweater. I noticed the hair tie on her wrist and the gold ring she wore on her pointer finger. Eventually she turned around, her eyes settling on mine as if she was hoping I’d say the right thing in response.

“I wasn’t trying to make you sound like a jerk.”

She nodded. “I know you weren’t.”

I wondered if she meant it. I wondered--as we stood staring at each other in her kitchen--if she knew that it took me two whole months to feel like I could smile again without having to force it. I wonder if she knew that I didn’t want to walk out of that hotel room. I wondered if she felt guilty. She probably did--at least a little.

“I was just writing my experience of it. Just trying to be honest.”

She nodded again, dropping her gaze to the floor. “You hurt me too, y’know.”

I waited for her to say more, her hair somewhat shielded her face as the kettle started to make more noise. I hurt her? Sure, maybe I’d said things or done things she didn’t like, but I didn’t understand how she could bring that up when she was the one who left me in New York during the biggest transition of my life. “What do you mean?”

“What do you mean?” She looked up at me, her eyebrows knitted together in anger. “I mean what I said.”

I closed my eyes tightly--willing myself to swallow the anger that was growing inside of me. She always did this--she made these sweeping statements and expected me to know exactly what she meant. I reworded my question in an attempt to quell the tension. “Can you explain what you mean, Margot?”

She paused for a second, almost as if she was questioning whether or not she should say any more. “You never called me when I was in rehab.”

I watcher her eyes linger on my face for a second before searching the floor once again. “I didn’t know you wanted me to.”

She scoffed at this--apparently that wasn’t the right answer. “I didn’t know I had to tell you that’s what you should have done.”

I let out a sigh and shook my head. I knew she’d have a lot to say. I knew that just having coffee wasn’t going to be enough. I knew, as I left our meeting at Geoffrey’s the other day, that there’d inevitably be a time where all of it would actually come up. I didn’t know if I was ready for that moment to be now. “Margot, I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Why did you come, Harry?” She spit the words out quick, almost catching me off guard. Why did I come here? Why did I want to see her so bad when I was still so angry?

I crossed my arms. “I wanted to see how you were doing knowing that it’s coming out.”

“Doesn’t seem like I have any option, right? That’s pretty typical. Grin and bear it, Margot.”

I shook my head, more annoyed with her now. I walked around the island and sat on a stool, resting my head in the palm of my hands. What was I supposed to say to that? Yes--she’d had a tough go of it. She was expected to put up with a lot and sometimes I was one of those people who expected it. I figured, instead of addressing the larger themes in her life, I’d settle for responding to her initial accusation. “I didn’t call you because I had nothing to say. I didn’t want to break up, you know that.”

There were tears in her eyes now, the emotion on her face immediately shifting my anger to a desire to hold her. I almost hated the power she had over me.

She did that thing where she ran her tongue along the inside of her cheek. “I didn’t enjoy hurting you, just so you know. I didn’t like breaking your heart.”

“I didn’t say you did,” the kettle started to whistle. “But I still don’t really understand why you left.”

THEN - Day 1169

The sound of the door shutting behind me was the only thing that let me know I was still alive. My entire body, from my head to my feet, felt numb and distant and simply not real. In fact, the entire hallway seemed to have a bit of a fuzz to it as I stumbled towards the elevator.

I needed to do something to make me actually feel something. The numbness was so terrifying, I almost worried that I’d never feel normal again.

I walked right out into the lobby, down a hallway towards the service entrance we’d been ushered in and out of. I didn’t care who saw me and who knew. The cold air was jarring, at least it made the skin on my face sting--it dried the tears on my cheeks and somehow promised that the world was still spinning.

As soon as I picked up my pace, my feet hit the pavement in a pattern than felt comforting. One, two, one, two. Each step signified more distance between us. Inches, centimeters, I didn’t care. The thought that with every step I took I was farther away from whatever version of reality she was living in felt safe. It felt good.

My chest was tight and my body was heavy--my head was filled with the words that she didn’t say. I strung together different combinations of different phrases that would have made sense.

It would have made sense if she didn’t love me. 

She didn’t say that. 

It would have made sense if she needed space. 

She didn’t say that.

It would have made sense if she told me I’d fucked something up. 

She hadn’t said that.

My lungs were tight, maybe from the tears on my face--or maybe just from the running. The movement felt better than sitting idly in my hotel room, wondering where we’d gone wrong. Movement made it hurt less, at least for a second.

[ninjadurtles]

“It’s Not What It Looks Like” Grayson Dolan Imagine

Requested?-  “30? With Grayson plllsssssss, I love how you write btw that’s why I’m asking twince lol” - @dolanfivsosxox So this is Number 30 from the prompt list. Thank you so much for the sweet request! I hope you enjoy it and I’m so sorry it’s this late!

Word Count- 7.4k.

Warnings- Language.

Author’s Note- Holy shit, it’s been a while! Sorry, I’ve been super super busy and this surprisingly enough took a long while to write. This is the longest thing I’ve written and it was a test of my patience. Hats off to every writer who’s ever written more than 1000 words coz damn, it’s hard! Anyway, I will be replying to all my lovely asks soon- thank you to everyone who’s sent an ask in, I really really appreciate it! Lots and lots of love to you all xx

Masterlist

"It's not what it looks like!"

Your best friend raised her eyebrow at you as she waved your phone at you. You knew there was a good reason you'd given her full access to your phone but you couldn't remember what it was for the life of you as she grinned like a cheshire cat, your phone held tightly in your hand.

"Really? Coz it looks like you're getting it on with the guy you've had a crush on since forever."

You huffed as you stalked towards where she was perched on the sofa, ready to snatch your phone from her but she was ready, leaning out of your reach and holding you back with a sock clad foot.

"No one's getting anything on," you protested as you tried to bat away her legs, doing your best to reach- unsuccessfully- for your phone.

"Not what it looks like," Maya singsonged gleefully as she read the messages on the screen. She let out a squeal, twisting away as you lunged for her, ending up half on top off her. "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

"Give it- ooft!" You groaned as you landed on your back on the floor, the breath well and truly knocked out of you. Taking in a deep breath, you pushed yourself up so you were sitting on your carpet and glared at your so called best friend. "I really hate you."

She waved a hand at you dismissively. "Yeah, I love you too. But seriously, when did you start flirting with Grayson Dolan?"

You shrugged with faux nonchalance, your fingers twisting together.

Dating apps weren't really your thing so when Maya had all but forced you to download Bumble, the last thing you'd expected was to come across Grayson's profile as you'd halfheartedly swiped through an endless myriad of photos. You'd remembered stopping in surprise, your finger ready to continue its spree of rejecting every option, when you'd recognised the chiselled face in the photos as your good friend who you may or may not have had a thing for for the last few years.

Then, before you could second guess yourself, you'd swiped right because what was the harm, right? If he came across your profile and didn't swipe back, he'd be none the wiser. He could go on with his life, blissfully ignorant about the way he made your heart skip a beat every time his eyes crinkled when he smiled and Maya could stop harassing you about never trying. Win-win situation.

You just hadn't been expecting to be told it was a match. And you knew he'd probably matched back because he'd thought it'd be a funny joke between friends. 'Remember that time we both matched on Bumble?' 'Yeah, hilarious.' By then you'd obviously had to message him because not messaging him would have definitely made things awkward. So you'd sent a casual message to him, laughing about the situation and the joint embarrassment of discovering each other's dating profiles and somehow, you'd both kept chatting.

"A few days ago, I guess," you finally conceded when the weight of her expectant gaze proved too much.

"And you didn't tell me? I'm hurt." She pouted at you in mock offence before patting the sofa cushion next to her. "Come on, get up here so I can psychoanalyse these messages properly."

Sighing in resignation, you pushed yourself off of the floor and flopped down onto the sofa, crossing your arms as you watched her scroll through the conversation.

"Holy shit, you guys are hardcore flirting!"

You felt your cheeks warm at her exclamation even as you tried to keep your face neutral. "It's not like that."

"Are you kidding me? 'Can't believe we matched haha.' 'How could I turn down the chance to talk to a pretty girl?' 'You're not so bad yourself.' Are you seriously trying to tell me you're not flirting?" She cast you an exasperated glance before gluing her eyes back to the screen. You pulled your bottom lip between your teeth, gnawing anxiously as you let her finish her investigating in silence. The minutes dragged on but you let out a sigh of relief when she tossed your phone back to you, fumbling to catch it and pull it close to your chest.

You looked back to Maya who was staring at you with a finely arched eyebrow and far too much amusement.

"What?""You're genuinely going to tell me you're not flirting? To my face?"

"We're just messing around. We found each other on a dating app and we're just playing along. It's ironic flirting," you explained with as much casualness you could summon.

"Uh huh," she drawled out, unconvinced. "No, what's ironic is that I signed you up to this dating app for the express purpose of helping you move on from Grayson and you've somehow managed to completely negate that."

You pouted at her. "I thought you signed me up because you thought it was time I met a 'nice boy' so I could stop third wheeling you and Josh."

A roll of her eyes. "Yeah, a nice boy who wasn't Grayson. Gotta give you props for that. When you want something, you don't quit."

She yelled out when the cushion you'd been leaning on made contact with her smug face.

"Shut up. I didn't exactly plan for this. Plus, like I've told you a hundred times now, it's not like that." You sighed when she fixed you with a sceptical look, dropping your head back onto the couch cushion. "I'm not just saying that to be cute or coy or whatever. I genuinely do think he's just trying to be funny. Plus, he kind of has that casual thing going with Emily so I doubt he's looking for anything serious."

"Er, yeah, no, he doesn't." You lifted your head, confused as you took in the sight of your best friend who at least had the decency to look a little apologetic. "Liam told me their thing ended a good while ago."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"'Cause you would've gone straight back to pining for him from a distance, never having the guts to do anything because you didn't think there was a chance. And, I love you, babe, but to be completely honest, I didn't think there was much of a chance either. Except now, you're both flirting with each other so I'm telling you to go for it!"

"There's nothing to go for!" you exclaimed, trying to burrow yourself further into the sofa.

"So what's your 'plan'? Just continue to flirt with him 'ironically' forever?" You narrowed your eyes at her hands making air quotes.

"No," you said pointedly, rolling your eyes. "I'm just going to wait until I see him at Liam's this weekend and then we can laugh over it in person and move on."

The sound of a notification cut off whatever she was about to say next and you grinned in victory at the sight of her mouth snapping shut. Your relief was short lived as you read the words on your phone screen, your stomach twisting into nervous knots.

"Change of plans," you managed to get out, scanning over the words again just to make sure you'd read them right the first time. "He, erm, wants to meet for dinner tomorrow."

…..

"Oh my god," you hissed into your phone, ducking your head low as you stepped past a middle aged couple dressed to the nines. "This place is ridiculous. I can't do this."

"What? Ridiculous how?" Maya asked. You mumbled an apology as you narrowly avoided ploughing into a pretty girl in a dress that definitely cost more than your salary this month.

"You know I'm a feminist and a strong supporter of splitting the bill but, holy shit, Grayson better offer to pay or at least have an amazing discount code because I'm pretty sure I cannot afford a starter from this place, let alone a whole meal."

"Oh. That kind of ridiculous."

"Yeah. I'm not built for places like this. I completely panicked like an idiot when the valet guy offered to park my shitty little car and said no so I had to park like 10 minutes away. And now my feet are swollen from these stupid heels." You huffed, digging a finger into the neckline of your dress and tugging at it to try and alleviate the tightness in your chest. "And this stupid dress is way too tight."

"Shut up!" You froze, taken aback by your best friend yelling down the phone at you. "Stop with the rambling and the overanalysing and the panicking. Actually, just stop with the thinking. Turn your dense brain off for two minutes and listen to me. I know you think you look overdressed and like you're trying too hard for a fake date but you look stunning. If it is a fake date, he's going to wish it was real. And I know you're nervous and you feel awkward but I also know it's going to go great. Worst case scenario, you spend some time with your friend who you really get along with and eat some good food. So stop stressing. It is going to be fine. Okay?"

You took in a deep breath, letting her reassurances slowly but surely calm you down.

"Okay?" she repeated.

"Okay."

She hummed in satisfaction. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah," you admitted with a small smile.

"Good. Now go and enjoy your ironic date," she teased and, just like that, she'd hung up on you. You rolled your eyes and stuffed your phone into the astonishingly small handbag she'd insisted you wear.

In the time you'd been talking to Maya, you'd crossed the car park, managing to avoid an embarrassing encounter with the valet guy who you'd turned down and you were now stood a few steps from the large glass doors that marked the entrance. You ran your hands over your hair, your stomach rolling with nerves as you tucked away any stray strands.

"All you have to do is be chill and enjoy. Enjoy your ironic date," you muttered to yourself, echoing Maya's words. Straightening your back, you walked through the doors.

"Good evening, madame." You'd barely stepped inside before a server was at your side, smiling politely at you. "Do you have a reservation?"

You offered a nervous smile, resisting the urge to fix your hair. "I think so. Grayson Dolan?"

"Ah, yes, Mr Dolan is waiting for you. If you'd like to follow me, madame."

"Madame," you found yourself mouthing as soon as the she had turned her back, testing out the foreign word before you could stop yourself as you trailed after her.

Your breath hitched as you turned the corner, your eyes landing on Grayson sitting at the table, his fingers playing with the napkin. His button up was snug, showing off his broad shoulders and well-built arms in a way that had your mouth go a little dry. He'd changed up his usual floppy hair, gelling it back and it bought even more attention to his chiselled face.

He looked like a model, you realised. It wasn’t a startling revelation. Grayson always looked beautiful, the perfect mix of sharp and soft, but in that moment, he looked like he would’ve belonged better on the cover of a magazine.

He glanced up towards the entrance and his eyes landed on you and, God, if there was anything you loved more than Grayson unintentionally smouldering, it was Grayson smiling. You felt your heart skip a beat as he pushed himself to his feet, napkin forgotten, his full attention on you as his eyes raked down your form. He was a breathing work of art. Michaelangelo would’ve never glanced twice at David if he’d laid eyes on Grayson.

It all just cemented the fact that this was definitely not a real date because how could Maya ever think that someone like him would go for someone like you?

You took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself as you came to a stop in front of him, the waiter offering you a final polite smile before she walked away.

“Hi," you managed to get out before he was taking your hand and bringing it up to his lips, keeping his eyes locked with yours. You felt heat dance across your cheeks, unable to look away.

"Hi," he echoed, his warm touch lingering for a few beats before he let go of your hand. "You look stunning."

"Thank you," you said softly. God, you'd have to resign to dealing with the discomfort of a burning face for the entirety of this evening if he kept this up. "You look pretty good."

"Pretty good, huh? I'll take it," he teased, eyes sparkling with his usual humour before he nodded towards the table. "Shall we?"

You nodded, stepping towards your chair before he abruptly moved towards you, pulling it out for you. You offered him a shy smile in thanks as you let him push your chair in. He'd clearly decided to fully commit to this thing, ticking off every date cliché you could think of.

"Sorry, I didn't come to pick you up," he said once he was seated. "Ethan and I had a thing across the city and I totally forgot until this morning."

You waved him off, trying to settle in your chair which was definitely more pretty than it was practical. "Don't worry about it. We could've rescheduled if you had a long day today."

He shook his head fondly. "Best way to end a long day is with a beautiful girl."

You ducked your head, the contents of your empty plate suddenly demanding your attention.

"Shall we order?" you prompted, reaching for a menu desperately. "I'm starving."

"When are you not?" he chuckled as he pulled his own menu towards him. He stopped abruptly, looking up at you. "You really do look beautiful."

The more he flashed that crooked smile at you, the more you realised that Maya was wrong. The worst case scenario wasn't an enjoyable evening with your friend. It was said friend realising that you liked him a lot more than you should. It was easy to flirt over text. He couldn't see the way his words affected you over text. He couldn't hear that your compliments were more genuine than a light joke. Sitting in front of him as he smiled at you and pinned you down with dark eyes, it was impossible to play this game with him without him realising exactly how you felt and it was so unfair that he seemed to be so at ease with this all, the perfect epitome of cool confidence- a stark contrast to the puddle of nerves you felt like.

"Thanks, Gray," you managed to get out, your eyes glued to the menu. It took a few seconds for your brain to clear enough for you to realise that the menu you were reading was essentially gibberish. You frowned, scanning the list for a single item you could recognise.

Starters, you could deal with, you decided as you identified garlic bread before miserably remembering that you definitely couldn't afford both a main and a starter from a place like this. The mains, however, were a different story.

You glanced up at Grayson, who was poring over his own menu.

"What are you getting?" you asked him, hoping he'd be able to offer some insight.

"Still looking. You?"

"Same here," you said dejectedly, sinking a little further into your seat. You eyed your tiny bag resting on the table before making your decision and trying to extract your phone from it as discretely as possible. Placing it in your lap, obscured from Grayson's view, you began the tedious task of searching your options.

"Are you ready to order?" Your head jerked up at the sudden appearance of the waiter at your table. You looked up at Grayson who raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, I think so. I'll have, uh, that." You pointed to the potato based dish you'd decided seemed like a safe option before Grayson was telling the waiter his choice.

"Any starters?"

"I'm good." You smiled politely.

"We'll have some garlic bread," Grayson said, sending you a knowing smile.

You both handed over your menus to the waiter, thanking her.

"How was your day?" Grayson asked after he'd filled both of your glasses with water.

"Huh?" you managed in response, your brain operating at suboptimal speed thanks to your nerves.

"How was your day?"

You groaned, forcing yourself to sound normal when you answered. "Long. Boring."

"Wanna talk about it?" he offered sympathetically but you shook him off.

"Not really much to talk about. I just need to find a job that's not so dull it makes me wanna peel my eyelids off," you said casually. Grayson let out a surprised laugh at your declaration. "Sorry, I'm being whiny. It's not a bad job. Just dull. Really, really dull."

"No, it's fine. Complain away. It just surprises me sometimes." You looked at him curiously and he shrugged. "E and I obviously complain sometimes about what we do too. But the one thing I can never complain about is it being dull."

"Lucky you guys," you said with a joking pout and he chuckled. "Speaking of, what did you guys get up to today?"

You reclined into your seat as he launched into an account of his and Ethan's day, his eyes bright and hands moving animatedly. To your pleasant surprise, you felt yourself start to relax as his deep, steady voice worked wonders on your nerves. You could feel your pounding heart start to slow, the tight band around your chest loosening, as you listened to him.

"That sounds amazing," you admitted, going to take a sip from your glass and frowning when you realised it was empty.

"Yeah, I'm so pumped. We're going to wait until we've almost finished though before announcing it," he said as you reached for the jug of water. You weren't sure exactly how you did it but the next thing you knew, the jug was tipping over.

"Shit!" you exclaimed as Grayson jumped in his seat, taken aback by the sudden onslaught of cold water. "Sorry! I'm so sorry!"

You pulled your napkin from your plate, paying no attention to one of your many forks clattering to the ground as you leant across the table and tried to dab at every wet spot you could see.

"It's fine," he said once the shock had worn off.

"I'm so sorry," you apologised again, wiping uselessly as a result of the table being a major barrier to your ability to reach him.

"Y/N."

"Fuck, I'm sorry."

"Y/N." You stilled when his hand wrapped around yours. "It's okay. Accidents happen. Plus, it was water. No harm, no foul. Okay?"

You offered him a small smile as he gently pried the napkin from your hands.

That was it. Any tiny semblance of composure that you'd had up until then disappeared. Grayson continued to be an absolute gentleman about it like always but you cringed internally every time you caught him squirming and subtly adjusting his clothes. He tried to engage you in conversation but it was like your brain had decided this was more than it could deal with and simply shortcircuited.

The upside to being in an expensive restaurant was that your food arrived fairly quickly and you welcomed it as an excuse to not talk as you busied yourself with chewing. The downside was the judgey side eye the woman sitting on the table next to you sent as you picked up one of the three knives in front of you. Hastily, you'd swapped it for another one, slumping in relief when she'd sniffed, seemingly appeased, and turned back to her own meal.

"We could get a dessert to split if you want?" he offered once the table was cleared of your plates, already scanning the dessert menu.

"No!" you blurted, dismissing his suggestion immediately. He looked up at you in confusion at your outburst, dark eyebrows furrowed. "I'm really full."

"You're never full," he pointed out. He turned the menu half towards you, trying to change your mind by appealing to your sweet tooth. "They have a brownie with caramel ice cream."

You shook your head and his face fell.

"Sorry, Grayson," you apologised sincerely, shifting in your seat. "I'm just stuffed."

"It's no biggie," he dismissed with a smile. You felt horrible as he tried to hide his disappointment, feeling sorry for him for having to put up with your bizarre behaviour tonight without even dessert as consolation, but you were itching to get away from him so you could finally breathe properly again. Sharing dessert like a couple from a romcom was more than you were equipped to handle.

The minutes seemed to drag on as you both waited for the bill to arrive. Grayson, being Grayson, tried his best to engage you in conversation just like he had been doing the whole night, realised you were struggling, and resigned to telling you a ridiculous story about him and Ethan, allowing you to just nod and hum at the right moments.

Finally, the silver tray was placed on the middle of your table

"Don't be ridiculous," he said, pulling the bill towards him. You opened your mouth to protest but he'd cut you off, anticipating your argument. "You can just pay for my next McDonald's."

"Thanks, Grayson."

You had never appreciated the cold before but you were grateful for the sudden change in temperature as you stepped out of the restaurant, the cool air clearing your mind.

"I had a really nice time," you began your usual post-date spiel as he surveyed the car park, itching to say bye to him.

"Me too," he said, flashing you a smile before going back to scanning the car park.

"Gray-"

"I don't see your car?"

You cringed, reminded of your encounter with the valet person. "Yeah, I parked outside."

"Oh, okay. Come on, let's go," he declared and you frowned in confusion.

"Do you need a ride?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "No, I'm just walking you to your car."

"You don't have to. It's really far," you tried to wave him off but he'd already fallen into step beside you, waiting patiently for you to lead the way.

You never thought that there'd be a day when you could not wait to get rid of Grayson but here you were, moving as fast as you could without it being defined as jogging so that you could shorten the journey as much as possible.

"Ta da!" You gestured towards your car after ten minutes, keys already in your hand. "Here we are."

"Here we are," he echoed with a small smile.

"So, yeah... I had a really good time," you said.

"Me too."

"I'm really sorry about your shirt," you added, glancing at the now-dry button down.

"It was just water," he brushed off your apology.

"Well, I still felt bad. Like I said, I had a good time so thank you." You gestured towards your car. "And thanks for walking with me. I will see you around."

He stared at you for a few beats and his heavy gaze made your stomach twist.

"See you around," he said finally and then he was stepping towards you.

Before you could think about it, you'd stuck your hand out rigidly, stopping him in his tracks when your fingers overshot and poked his chest. He glanced down in confusion at where your hand jutted out clumsily between you.

Oh my God, what is wrong with you? You hug Grayson all of the time.

And because the universe hated you, instead of opening up a hole beneath your feet like you desperately wanted, you had to endure the awkward moments that stretched between you too before he finally wrapped his hand around yours, with a chuckle.

"Yeah, goodnight, then, I guess," he repeated, a bemused half smile dancing across his lips.

You opened your mouth to say something to alleviate the tension, decided the situation was unsalvageable and snapped it shut again. Giving him a final jerky wave, you flung yourself into your car and pulled off into the road. You watched as his figure grew smaller in your rear view mirror before disappearing from sight. You sagged with relief, thankful to have back the ability to breathe.

You glanced up at your drained reflection in the mirror, shaking your head despondently. "I am a fucking idiot."

 …..

 "ARGHHH!" you screamed into the cushion in frustration. You felt Maya's hand on your lower back, a comforting weight as she rubbed slow circles. "I suck."

She chuckled, the sound barely audible over your groaning.

"It was awful," you whined, finally pulling your face away and sitting up. You kept your eyes on your lap, trying to discretely wipe away the little puddle of drool that must have escaped your mouth from the cushion before she noticed.

 "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

You glared at her futile attempt to make you feel better. "You weren't there. It really was. He looked insanely beautiful and my brain shortcircuited and I panicked because I was convinced I'd make it really obvious that I thought he was insanely beautiful. So I shut down. I literally shut down, Maya. I couldn't hold a single decent conversation. I spilled water on him! I was just a major fucking idiot. It sucked, sucked, sucked!"

She sighed, offering you a corner of the blanket she had over herself. "Breathe and then, tell me all about it."

Groaning, you buried yourself into the soft material and began to narrate your disaster of an evening.

"And then he went in to hug me and I stuck out my hand and then I jumped into my car and sped away," you finished with a wince, burying your face into your hands.

Maya's silence was all the confirmation you needed that you hadn't been exaggerating.

"I told you it was bad."

"It doesn't sound great," she admitted eventually, each word carefully spoken as she tried not to freak you out further. "But it's not the end of the world."

"No, just the end of my ability to ever look Grayson in the eyes again,"

"He thinks I'm a fucking weirdo."

She rolled her eyes. "Everyone you've ever interacted with for more than 30 minutes knows you're a fucking weirdo."

You let out a very questionable sound of frustration. "You don't get it. It's not that. Now, he thinks I'm some weirdo who's so in love with him that I can't function like a normal human being."

"That's all true though," she pointed out.

"You don't- He- It's embarrassing," you settled on finally. "He's probably gone home to laugh with Ethan about the fact that someone like me could ever think they had a chance with someone like him. I just- I feel so stupid and embarrassed."

"Hey, hey, come here," Maya cooed softly, surprised by the sudden sight of your glossy eyes. She pulled you in against her shoulder as you blinked rapidly, trying to banish your tears. "It's okay."

You took in a deep breath, trying to compose yourself before you sat up. "Sorry."

"You don't need to say sorry, you silly billy. But you do need to listen to me. It's not a big deal." You opened your mouth to contest that but she shut you up with a glare. "Listen, okay? It's not a big deal. So what if Grayson thinks you like him? He'll be flattered that someone as lovely and kind and intelligent as you thinks that someone like him is attractive. I'd be over the moon if I thought someone half as amazing as you felt like that about me. Plus, Grayson is a good guy. He's going to be nice about it. So, I know it seems like a big deal right now but I promise you it isn't and you should trust me because I'm one of the wisest people I know."

"Shut up," you mumbled but even now, you could feel the knot in your stomach start to subside. Maya always knew how to make you feel better. "But, also, thank you."

"Anytime." She grinned at you before slumping into you, remote in hand as she loaded up netflix on the television. "So does this mean you'll come to Liam's?"

Absolutely no way.

"We'll see, " you said to tide her over for now.

"Hmm. What do you wanna watch?"

…..

"I'm gonna go home," you announced for the tenth time, pulling your arm free from Maya's as she stepped out of the elevator, unable to force yourself to follow her.

She sighed, turning around to face you, head cocked in her best impression of a mother who was . "No, you're not."

"I can't do it. It's way too soon and too awkward," you protested, arms crossed over your chest.

"No, what's awkward is you not turning up to Liam's after your and Grayson's dinner. It'll just make him think that you think it was a bigger deal than it was and it'll be even worse when you have to see him next time," she parroted the very reasonable explanation she'd been saying to you for the last few days.

"What if I just never see him again?"

"Sure." She shrugged. "If you want to find a whole new group of friends just coz you're a little bitch."

She remained nonplussed as you glared at her.

"Come on now. Yank on those big girl panties I know you have somewhere and let's go." With that, she spun around and headed to Liam's apartment door. Sending her a final glare, you followed, knowing that she was speaking sense, as always.

You felt a soft hand wrap around yours, giving it a light squeeze.

"You've got this," she whispered and you were filled with love for your best friend who managed to always be there for you with the perfect balance of tough love and soft encouragement. You just about had time to squeeze her hand back before the door swung open.

"Hey!" You were enveloped in a hug from Liam before he was ushering you inside. "Come in!"

"Hey, Liam! We bought drinks." Maya held up the bag in her hand. "Where do you want them?"

"That's great. Kitchen would probably be good?"

"Sounds good. I'll be back."

You didn’t even have time to  think to protest before she was disappearing in the direction of the kitchen. Sighing, you took the opportunity to survey the room. You weren't sure if you had some internal Grayson radar but your eyes immediately landed on him as he talked to two people you didn't really know that well. He looked beautiful as always, eyes crinkling as he laughed at something.

Before you could decide whether you wanted to go talk to him now or give yourself some time to build up some courage, his eyes landed on you and he beamed, jumping off his place on the sofa.

"There you are!"

As big of a treat it had been seeing Grayson dressed up, you felt your heart fill with affection at the sight of him in a normal t-shirt, silky hair bouncing as he took two long strides towards you, pulling you into his warm side. You relaxed against him, wrapping an arm around his back to return the gesture, his shirt soft against your cheek. He squeezed your shoulder gently and you felt the knot in your stomach dissolve as he grinned down at you.

Of course, Grayson wasn't going to be a dick about your situation.

"Hi," you said shyly, the corners of your own mouth tugging up before you could help it, any attempt to play it cool forgotten.

"Hi," he echoed, giving you a final, gentle squeeze before releasing you and you immediately missed his warmth. "Late as usual, I see."

"I'm guessing you were one of the first to arrive? Up and dressed at 7am," you teased and he snorted.

"I wish. Ethan was being annoying as usual with his clothes. He likes to spend an hour looking through his wardrobe like he's actually going to wear something different for once."

You shook your head fondly. "Typical, Ethan."

"You had a chance to grab some snacks yet?" You shook your head and Grayson nodded towards the kitchen. "Let's go, then.” 

Before you could move off, there was a yell from behind you. 

"Hey, Y/N!" You turned at the sight of your name, barely having time to recognise the tall brunette before Ethan was crashing into you.

"Hi, E," you laughed, your words muffled by his shoulder in your mouth.

"Brave of you to show up after breaking poor Grayson's heart."

You squirmed uncomfortably at Ethan's words, glancing sideways at Grayson to try and gauge just how much he'd told his brother about your disastrous night but he was avoiding your eyes. Enough apparently for Ethan to make fun of you. You couldn't quite decide if you were mortified or grateful that it apparently was a casual enough deal for Ethan to feel comfortable poking fun at you.

"He's been a mess, Y/N," Ethan continued, glancing at his brother with mock sympathy. "Really let himself go. I mean, look at this scruff."

Grayson jerked back, batting away Ethan's hand as he tried to stroke Grayson's stubbled cheeks.

"Cut it out! Ignore my idiot brother," he addressed you now with an apologetic smile. "I'll get over it. Don't let him bully you into feeling bad."

You blinked in confusion, feeling as though you were missing some pivotal part of the conversation. "Feel bad about what?"

Ethan choked on a laugh, looking between the two of you with wide eyes. "Savage, dude. So unremarkable- she doesn't even remember rejecting you."

"Seriously, fuck off." Grayson shoved his brother's shoulder now but you didn't miss the red that had started to bloom across his cheeks.

"Grayson, you sure you went on a date with Y/N? Sure you weren't just dreaming again?"

"We did go on a date," you jumped in to Grayson's defence. "Well, kind of."Ethan raised his eyebrows, a silent invitation for you to continue.

"It wasn't a real date," you explained, shifting your weight between your feet.

"Grayson probably told you how we matched on Bumble and we just played along a little."

"Oh wow." Grayson's eyes were wide in disbelief as stared at you. "Are you serious?"

Your fingers pulled on the tab of the can, twisting it uneasily as you nodded hesitantly, feeling sure Grayson was going to call you out on your pathetic attempts to hide your feelings that evening, pointing out that you had definitely treated it like a real date with your constant heart eyes at him. You wished for a second time that the universe would open up a you-sized hole, or at least provide a good distraction if the whole hole appearing in the middle of Liam's apartment was scientifically implausible.

"You have Bumble?" That was apparently the part that Ethan chose to focus on as he smirked at his brother. "Knew you couldn't find girls without any help."

"Ethan! Shut! Up! Y/N, did you-"

Maybe the universe didn't hate you. Maybe it just had a bit of a delayed response, you thought, as Liam chose that moment to run up and sling his arms around the boys' necks, demanding that they 'bring some of that twin power over to the beer pong table.'

Grayson opened his mouth, looking like he might say something but then Liam was calling his name again and he let himself be dragged away with a final apologetic glance over his shoulder.

You exhaled slowly, taking a large gulp of your coke.

That was fun.

….. 

You laughed, throwing your head back as Maya's boyfriend Josh told you about another one of Maya's failed attempt to cook dinner for the both of them as Maya hit him playfully.

"It wasn't that bad!"

"You can't replace the sugar with salt and then say it wasn't that bad," he pointed out, pulling her in to settle under his arm.

"In my defence, I'd had a really long day. I was half delirious when I made those pancakes."

"Sure." She swatted at him half-heartedly."It's your fault," she grumbled. "I could cook just fine at uni and now, you've spoiled me with all your cooking and I'm out of practice."

Josh turned to you for validation of Maya's claim and you shrugged. "If you consider instant noodles a meal, then, yeah, sure."

Maya's shriek of indignation had you laughing as you ducked to dodge the popcorn kernel she'd thrown at you. "It wasn't just instant noodles! I made pasta sometimes!"

"Like five times in three years," you pointed out, jerking back as she tried to push you off of where you were perched on the armchair of the sofa. "You know I'm not exaggerating."

"Yeah, yeah. I just love it when my boyfriend and best friend gang up on me. It's so fun..." she trailed off, her eyes fixed over your shoulder. You turned around on instinct to see Grayson approaching you, shirt speckled with what you assumed were droplet stains from the beer.

"Hey, can we talk?"

He motioned his head towards the little terrace and you nodded, shrugging on your hoodie before following him, heart thudding in your chest. It was surprisingly empty as you stepped out, devoid of the constant line of smokers you'd seen out here the whole night and you wondered for a moment if he'd asked them to vacate the area so he could talk to you alone.

"How'd beer pong go?" you asked as you settled with your back against the balcony railing.

"Liam and I crushed Ethan and Jake," he said proudly, coming to a stop in front of you.

"Always knew you were the better twin," you joked and he chuckled.

"Good."

The two of you fell quiet, the only sound being the buzz of chatter and music coming from the apartment.

"You wanted to talk?" you prompted. 

"Yeah, I just wanted to clear the air I guess," he said hesitantly.

"I didn't think that there was any air to clear."

"Yeah, I didn't either. I just thought you didn't feel the same, which was fair enough, and I thought we could just keep being friends. But then Ethan started being a dick and you said some kinda strange things so I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page," he trailed off before tipping his head back and groaning. "God, I sound so lame."

You'd spent the last few days anxiously going over how tonight was going to go and you thought you'd imagined almost every scenario, most of them including Grayson and his friends laughing at you from a corner as he told them what a lovesick idiot you'd been your whole date. You hadn't once imagined your evening going like this. "What do you mean you thought I didn't feel the same?"

"I've been rejected before," he said matter of factly but even in the dim light you could see the blush on his cheeks. "It's no big deal. It's not your fault if you don't feel it."

"You thought I was rejecting you?" you asked, completely taken aback by Grayson's interpretation of the evening.

He shrugged helplessly. "Well, yeah. You shut down any of my attempts to talk and you looked like you couldn't wait to get away."

"I thought I'd weird you out if I flirted with you or anything like that," you admitted.

"Why would I be weirded out by you flirting with me on a date I asked you to go on?"

"I thought it was an ironic date," you muttered by way of explanation.

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and you cleared your throat, feeling more stupid by the second. "Huh?"

"I thought you matched with me to be funny.  And then I thought you were flirting as a little joke. No big deal, right? We matched, might as well . And then you suggested dinner and I just thought you didn't mean anything by it. Like an 'I'm your friend and I found you on a dating website so it'd be funny if we played along to be ironic' thing."

"Played along by asking you on a date?" he clarified, dark eyebrows arched.

"An ironic date," you repeated lamely.

"You have a weird sense of humour," he said finally. "Or you seem to think I have a weird sense of humour."

You let out a short laugh, tugging on your hoodie string as you twirled it around the tip of your finger. "Mix of both probably."

"Did you want it to be an ironic date?"

Your head jerked up, your hoodie strings no longer capturing your attention. "Huh?"

"Did you want it to be an ironic date?" he repeated, his voice strangely even, each word spoken with care.

"I wouldn't have been able to handle the pressure of being dressed up and eating at a place like that if I'd thought it was a real date."

He chuckled softly, pushing the hair flopping over his brow back.

"Yeah, it wasn't really my scene either. I had no idea what I ordered for my main until it came," he admitted.

"I googled the options under the table," you reassured and it was enough to coax a genuine laugh from him, the sound loud and wonderful in the quiet night.

"Of course, you did." He shook his head fondly. "I just didn't want you to think I was half-assing it."

"I definitely did not think that. It just wasn't very… us." He hummed in agreement, accepting your assessment with a nod.

It was silent for a few beats.

"I say we just get pizza and watch one of those crime documentaries you're always going on about on our next date," he suggested finally as a solution.

"Next date?" you asked levelly, the corners of your lips twitching upwards despite your attempt to keep your face neutral.

"Yeah. If you want." He shrugged, dragging a hand across his stubble, and there was something so endearing about him trying to act nonchalant about the fact he wanted another date and that he knew what you liked to watch that all the willpower in the world wasn't enough to hold back your smile.

"Can't wait," you told him sweetly and his shoulders sagged in relief- almost imperceptible, and you may not have even noticed if he hadn't been the guy you'd been a little bit in love with for years.

"Cool."

"Pizza's on me," you reminded him and he chuckled, conceding.

"This is a real date, by the way," he chimed, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he grinned down easily at you. "In case it wasn't clear enough this time around either."

"I know!" 

"Ironic date, my ass," he huffed good-naturedly as he rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry!" you exclaimed, giggling as you pulled lightly on the strings of your hoodie, feeling at home in his familiar presence.

The sound of laughter died away and you felt giddy as you stared at each other with matching grins.

"Now that that's sorted, if I try to kiss you again, are you going to jab me in the ribs again?" he asked teasingly, cocking his head.

You felt your cheeks burn as you tried to defend yourself. "I didn't jab, I elegantly offered-."

You cut yourself off as Grayson leaned in abruptly, blinking in surprise as your vision was flooded with his handsome face. You froze when his hand wrapped around yours, letting him gently tug it to rest on the side of his torso, in the same spot that it'd been that evening.

"Last chance to poke," he warned, warm brown eyes watching you intently. 

"I'm good," you said with a breathy laugh, your fingers curling into his shirt.

"Good."

The tip of his nose bumped yours gently before his lips were pressing against yours, warmth spreading all the way down to your toes.

Okay, so maybe Maya was right, and it had been exactly what it had looked like. But- you thought, giggling as Grayson playfully pulled you closer by your hoodie strings- you didn't mind being wrong this time.

Thanks a bunch for reading!

Click here to see the prompt list and here if you’d like to check out my masterlist for some reason!

[concealeddarkness13]

Checkmate Part 2

Tagging @ratracechronicler for this wonderful collaboration!

The black fabric of my suit shimmered as I walked onto the stage with the crowd roaring. I just forced a smile and waved at them before turning to Caesar. He laughed and gestured for me to sit next to him.

“So, Shane, from District 8! This year’s Hunger Games victor!” The crowd roared again. “I must say, it was entertaining to watch. Can you tell us how you were able to achieve victory?”

I smiled, almost genuinely. He had given me the perfect opportunity. “Well, Caesar, it was hard, I must admit. Mainly because of all the pointless death that occurred.” I stood up as Caesar’s smile slipped. “It would be an insult to forget the other tributes. So, I will honor them now.” Caesar tried to step in front of me, but I just pushed him back. “From District 1: Haru Kobayashi, Arlen Astera, and Kleio Meredes. From District 2: Estelle Lira, Dr. Agau, and Damien. From District 3: Michael, Isabelle, and Lia Carter. From District 4: Hetat, Bryn, and Mur.” Caesar tried to speak, but I just raised my voice. He wasn’t going to stop me. If they really wanted to stop me, they would have to stop their show, and I wouldn’t imagine them doing that. “From District 5: Daren, Maya, and Eshe Noxven. From District 6: Laurelin Nasseri, Jae, and Wick. From District 7: Mythre Larsel, Sumayl Antar, and Jay Gatsby. From District 8: Padma Fedorov and Jasper Lucian. From District 9: Ginger DeAngelo, Nightingale, and Delphi Adams. From District 10: Liam, Bryn Emrys, and Victor Frankenstein. From District 11: Tiffany 7 Null Omega, Emily Spurling, and Artemis Fowl. From District 12: Lily, Chester Martin, and Cinderella. I would like to mourn their losses and beg you to remember them. I know I will.”

I fell silent, and Caesar grabbed my arm and pulled me back to my chair with a laugh. “Well, Shane, I’m sorry to hear that.” I clenched my fists as I sat back down. Of course he was trying to brush off what I had just said. I could only hope that what I had said actually made the audience think and remember, instead of just their usual celebration of a murderer. “The Capitol was so moved by what you did in the arena that President Snow personally made sure to give you a gift!” The crowd clapped, but they still sounded more subdued. Good.

Caesar laughed. “A miracle straight from the arena! Emily Spurling miraculously survived!” I gasped and jumped out of my chair when I heard someone walk onto the stage. Could she really be alive? How had she been captured by the Capitol? Was this part of her plan?

And there she was, walking onto the stage in a midnight-blue evening gown. She was grinning, and there was a scar on her left arm that hadn’t been there before. When our eyes locked, she smiled even wider and ran to me, and we hugged. Before we broke apart, Emily whispered in my ear. “Just play along.”

She moved away and looked out at the audience as they roared. My spirits sank a little. Caesar had been able to effectively distract them.

She glanced over at Caesar. “I’m just so thankful the Capitol gave me this second chance.” She wrapped her arms around my arm and leaned her head against my shoulder. “Now, we’ll be able to be together without worrying.” I swallowed hard and forced myself to look down at her with a smile. I had to pretend, even though just pretending that I was happy and everything was fine made me want to throw up. She continued. “Even though it makes me wonder why the Capitol couldn’t have saved any of the other tributes.” My smile turned genuine as Caesar’s smile slipped again. So, this was how we were going to play it. We had to pretend, but that didn’t mean that we couldn’t fight back still.

When we turned to sit back down again, another chair was beside mine for Emily. Caesar and I sat down, but she pushed me a little and squeezed into my chair, curling up and leaning against me. I flushed, and the audience laughed.

I awkwardly put my arm around her shoulders as Caesar started speaking. “So, how does it feel to be back together?”

Emily spoke first, but her voice was a little muffled, since she had now buried her face in my shirt. “Oh, it’s amazing! I was worried after our little fight on day 3, but I shouldn’t have.” She laughed. “I’m sorry for my lack of interview skills right now, but this fabric is just so soft!” She ran her fingers down my arm and back, and I shivered at the light and actually friendly touch.

Caesar laughed. “I heard from Shane’s stylist that she ordered his outfits’ fabrics directly from District 8. The fabric is a special kind that will actually be available for sale in the Capitol soon!” I wanted to roll my eyes at that advertisement, but I was able to stop myself. Caesar looked over at me. “So, Shane. I think everyone in this room, especially Emily, is dying to know why you wouldn’t ally with her, why you pushed her away. Would you care to elaborate?”

I held Emily tighter, as if it had hurt to fight with her, and I allowed my face to grow somber. “I didn’t want to lose her, and I was worried that I would be the reason that she died. I thought she would be safer if she wasn’t around me.” The audience “aww”ed, and Caesar nodded solemnly, as if he understood exactly what we had gone through. I looked back down at her. “But that was a mistake. She became distracted because of me during the feast, and that caused her to almost die. If I had stayed with her, that wouldn’t have happened.”

Caesar paused for the dramatic effect before continuing. “Emily, what did you think of how Shane won the Hunger Games? Surely, you must have seen it!”

My blood ran cold. She had seen me kill Chester. He was her friend. What did she think of me now?

She looked up at me, and we locked eyes. Her eyes were sincere as she spoke. “Shane did what he had to. I’m glad he was able to win. I’m so glad we can be back together before the Capitol throws more BS at us.” She laughed and snuggled her face into my neck as the audience fell quieter, and Caesar frowned.

But he didn’t pursue the subject. He probably didn’t want us to start slamming the Capitol again. He turned to the audience. “With the end of this momentous Hunger Games, President Snow has decided to host a party for this couple before they head back to District 8! So, get excited for that!” As the crowd roared, Caesar looked back at us. “One last question before the closing remarks. What are you planning on doing now?”

I smiled out at the audience. “I’m going to treasure my time with Emily. And I think I’ll use my earnings to help the people in District 8.”

Caesar interrupted me before I could say anything else, this time his voice loud enough to drown me out. “Emily, what about you?”

She played with the bracelet on my wrist. “Oh, I’m just going to stay by Shane no matter what. I don’t care what happens as long as we’re together.”

The crowd clapped as Caesar stood up. “Any closing remarks?”

Before I could even think of anything to say, Emily stood up and pulled me up. She turned to me with a grin and kissed me, and I immediately kissed her back this time. She laughed and buried her hands in my hair as I held her tighter. We had to pretend, but it actually felt nice for her to be in my arms.

While we kept kissing, I vaguely heard Caesar laugh as the crowd roared. “Shane, the victor from District 8, and Emily Spurling from District 11!” He nudged us, and we finally broke apart and walked off the stage, still holding each other tightly.

[formerprincess]

A tale written with fangs and claws || Chapter 49

Chapters: 49/? Fandom: Teen Wolf (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Liam Dunbar/Theo Raeken, Corey Bryant/Mason Hewitt Characters: Liam Dunbar, Theo Raeken, Mason Hewitt, Corey Bryant, Nolan (Teen Wolf) Additional Tags: Alpha Liam Dunbar, Slow Build, Friends to Lovers, Dunbar Pack, Bisexual Liam Dunbar, Werewolf Theo Raeken, Alpha Theo Raeken, Canon-Typical Violence, Smut, Mates, Liam and Theo are mates, Top Theo Raeken, Bottom Theo Raeken, Top Liam, Bottom Liam Dunbar Series: Part 1 of Morning Dew Pack

Landon now lives with the pack. Will everything go smoothly? Liam doesn't want him to know about werewolves, how long can he keep this secret from his little brother? And taking care of Landon is not the only thing the pack needs to pay attention to.

Liam felt bone-aching exhaustion when he entered the house with Theo and Landon. The encounter with his biological father and the emotional rollercoaster before clearly had more effect on him than he thought at first. But for Landon, he would be strong, act like he was having everything under control, and so he smiled at his little brother and gently squeezed his hand when they arrived home.

The pack had gathered in the living room and they happily greeted the Alpha couple. When they saw Landon however, they made inquisitive sounds. Liam smiled. “Guys, this is Landon, the boy I met through the Big Brother Program. Landon, those are my friends, I showed you pictures of them. Now you meet them for real.” He introduced every single member and they all waved and welcomed Landon who waved shyly and clutched Liam’s hand.  “Hi,” he said softly. “Landon’s staying with us,” Liam informed his Betas and Mason looked happy but surprised. “Did they finally allowed you to meet outside the school? That’s awesome, I thought it would take a little longer. But it’s cool, a sleepover, who doesn’t love that?” But Liam shook his head in reply. “Landon’s staying with us. Period. He’s not leaving again.” Mason blinked. “Come again? What?” Liam inhaled softly and reached out to gently run a hand through Landon’s hair. “In recent terms of events today it turned out that Landon’s father is Emmet Dunbar,” he announced and Landon looked at him and smiled weakly at his older brother. The pack erupted in confused and shocked sounds, clearly interested in the story behind that, and Liam really wanted to give it to them but...

Not in front of Landon. 

He knelt down. “Are you hungry, buddy? Should get you something to eat first, alright?” Landon nodded and Brett spoke up. “There are some sandwiches on the table in the kitchen. Feel free to take, we made them for the whole household.” With a grateful smile towards the tall werewolf, Liam guided Landon into the kitchen. The dogs had been rested in front of the patio doors and enjoyed the sun on their fur but when the two boys entered, they got up and trotted over. Landon’s eyes lit up. Just like Liam himself, the younger loved animals and he had loved the pictures of the pups.  “They look like wolves.” “Yeah, but they are pretty nice. Hold out your hand, they won’t bite you,” Liam instructed Landon when the child was a bit hesitant to come close to the animals despite clearly liking them.  Landon reached out now and let Aka and Koda sniff his hand. Both decided immediately that he was friendly and eagerly pushed against his hand so he started petting them. Landon giggled.  Liam took it as his chance. “If you want a sandwich, just take one from the table, okay? I will be right back, just need to have a talk with my friends in the living room,” he told his baby brother who nodded absentmindedly and ran his fingers through the Tamaskan’s soft furs. 

The young Alpha slipped out of the kitchen and returned to the living room where his Betas were still gobsmacked.  “If Emmet Dunbar is Landon’s father, that makes you...,” Tim made a motion between the kitchen and Liam with his index finger, “Oh boy!” “It makes us actual brothers, yeah.” Liam let out a shaky breath and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I didn’t know until today. Landon saw my jersey and started crying. I didn’t know why but then suddenly Emmet showed up and dragged him out of the school. I came home and asked Theo for help, Landon suddenly called, we drove there...I had no idea what would happen. I just knew I couldn’t leave him with that man.” He hunched his shoulders and shook his head. “Emmet hasn’t changed. He’s still a drunkard and still hits his son. The only difference between me and Landon is, I had a mother who saved me from all this. He has nobody.” “He has you,” Theo chimed in quietly.  Liam looked at him and nodded softly. “Guess you’re right. And look, guys, I know none of us is trained enough to raise a child and I’m sorry I brought this upon you but I had no other choice.” “You don’t have to be sorry.” Lori shook her head. “If it’s family, you protect, blood or not. We all are family and since he is your little brother, he might as well be our little brother. We will protect him and take care of him in and make sure he now can have a happy childhood away from any abuse,” she stated firmly and the others murmured in approval.  Mike nodded. “She’s right.” “So you don’t mind having him here?” Liam was relieved by that.  Mason smiled warmly. “He’s your little brother and what you already told us about him, even before you knew he was your little brother, is just so sweet. He will be a joy to have around.” That reminded Liam of something else. “By the way, I haven’t told Landon about werewolves yet and I want to keep it that way for the first time being. I’m aware this will be kind of hard but I’m not sure how well a nine-year-old child handles that. He has been traumatized enough already, don’t need to add to this. I’m sorry, guys, but I don’t want him in the known about supernaturals yet and I’m sorry if this makes your life a little bit harder.” “It will be fine.” Maya shook her head and smiled. “It’s not like we’re still fighting with our control. We have it covered so we won’t scare the little one. Don’t worry about it. We all get where you’re coming from.”

Liam was well aware it wouldn’t be easy, none of them had experience with raising a child, but he now knew his brother was safe and surrounded by love. And if this pack had something to give, it was love. Landon just gained lots of brothers and sisters. 

“Thanks, guys. I’m going to show him around,” he announced to his Betas and then walked back in the kitchen where Landon sat on the floor and still petted Aka and Koda.  “Hey, buddy, let me show you where you sleep, okay? It’s not a room filled with toys and fun stuff yet but we can get you new things in the next days. Sounds good?”  Landon looked surprised. “I get things?” “Course you do. You’re my baby brother, you deserve nice things. What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t buy you toys?” Liam smiled softly and it only widened when Landon got to his feet and wrapped his arms around Liam’s waist.  “Thank you, Liam.” “Anytime. Now, come on, let me show you everything.” 

He gently stirred Landon in the direction of the stairs and led him upstairs. On their way, he explained where every pack member lived and then showed Landon the last guest room they had.  Landon laughed and crawled onto the bed. “Such a big bed and it’s all for me?” “It sure is, buddy, all for you. You’re not the tallest, just like me, but let me tell you, having a big bed is nice. And you don’t have to share it with anybody.” “Do you have to share your bed, Liam?” “Yeah, with Theo.” The young Alpha chuckled. “But I like sharing with him, so it’s totally fine.” The child nodded solemnly. “I see,” he mumbled. “Now, listen, my room is that one.” Liam pointed at the door. “Landon, if you ever need something, no matter the time, you can come and see me there, okay? Whatever it is.” Landon looked at his hands and nervously played with his fingers. “You won’t mind?” He finally asked hesitantly and bit his lip. His blue eyes were filled with worry when he finally dared to look up.  Liam smiled warmly when he now shook his head. “I won’t mind. I’m here to protect you, may it from a bad dream or bad people. So you can always come and share when something bothers you. I know you’re not used to it. Your...our father is not a very lovely person but I am. Got that from my mom. And you are very lovely as well, I already learned that about you.” The younger boy smiled at his big brother and then moved closer to hug Liam again.  “Thank you, Liam.” “Don’t mention it, Laddie.” Liam carefully hugged his baby brother back. 

****** "Are you feeling better, now that your brother is with us?” Theo asked while he pulled his shirt over his head. It was the night of the same day they took Landon away from his abusive father and the mated couple was getting ready for bed.  Liam rubbed his neck. “Yeah. I don’t think I could have slept one minute knowing he still lives with this bastard.” He sat on the bed after he stretched. It had been an emotionally exhausting day and he was really feeling it now. “Thank you for grounding me. Without you, I would have beaten the crap out of Emmet and probably send him to the hospital.” Theo stepped to the bed and put both hands on Liam’s shoulders. “I’m proud of you for keeping in control so greatly. It was actually impressive, given what Emmet put you and Landon through.” “That’s in the past now. I want to look forward and make sure Landon now has the best childhood he can have. He deserves to be a happy little boy. Better late than never.” Liam smiled at Theo and Theo returned the smile before he reached up and ran his fingers over Liam’s cheek. “You okay though? Look kinda tired.” “I am tired. Long, rough day. My bed is calling out for me.” “Do you want to use the bathroom first? I can take a shower after you’re done,” Theo immediately offered. Liam smiled at his mate’s concern but waved it off.  “It’s fine. Take your shower, I can brush my teeth afterward.” “You sure?” Theo raised one eyebrow in question. “Yeah, I am. Get your ass into the shower, Raeken.” Liam reached up and gave his boyfriend’s behind a soft slap. The older laughed but then walked into the bathroom.

Liam snickered and stretched out on the bed. He heard the shower getting turned on and Theo closing the door after he got into the cubicle. Theo would take some minutes, so he might as well close his eyes and relax while he waited for his turn. He could brush his teeth while Theo was in the shower, he knew what his man looked naked and wet after all, but lately, there seemed to be a problem with the pipes and when one used the bathroom faucet, it took the water pressure away from the shower. He didn’t want to leave Theo with just a little trickle to wash away the soap and shampoo so he had to wait. 

The Alpha made a mental note to call a plumber to check for the source of the problem and listened to the water running. He was asleep before the water got turned off again and Theo returned to the room. 

He woke up the next day before Theo and slowly got out of bed. The house was quiet so Liam figured he was the first one awake again. On his way down, however, he met with Caden who sneaked out of the bathroom and was on his way back to Ever’s room. He hesitated when he saw Liam and laughed nervously.  “Uhm, should I have asked you before staying over?” Liam grinned. “Did you use protection?” He asked back and Caden blinked. “Course we did.” “Then carry on.” He grinned when Caden bolted back into the room and then Liam trotted down the stairs, filled the dogs' bowls with fresh water and food, and even started to brew coffee. He had taken his phone with him when he left his room and now lazily checked some messages while he sat down on the patio. A little green dot showed him his mother was online and Liam knew he had to have this conversation sooner or later. So he pressed the button for a video call and waited for Ilona to accept the call.

Her face appeared on the screen moments later and she smiled. “Good Morning, baby.” She waved and Liam waved back with a soft laugh.  “How are you, mom?” “I am fine, just about to meet with some of my friends later on for brunch. What about you? Are your classes still stressing you out? What about your team? Any new wins yet?” “Classes are still demanding, you know it. No, no new wins yet but we’re working on it. Before I graduate, I will hold the trophy, mark my words.” He raised a fist and Ilona laughed.  “That’s the spirit!”

Mother and son had a laugh together but then Liam grew serious again. “Mom, there’s something I have to talk about with you.” Ilona frowned. “Honey, what’s wrong?” Now that he was talking to his mother, Liam had no real idea how to tell her. It was a sensitive topic and he didn’t want to hurt his mother. There were so many bad memories connected to this man and she didn’t deserve to live through it again. But he couldn’t keep his newfound family ties from her.  “I told you about this boy I got paired with in the Big Siblings program, right?” “Yeah, you did. He sounded like a really nice little boy and I’d love to meet him one day if that’s possible.” “Oh, you will definitively meet him,” Liam muttered under his breath.  Ilona perked up. “What was that? I didn’t catch that.” “Nothing, I...” Liam sighed. “I recently found out...I mean, yesterday, I found it out that....” He stopped again and gnawed on his lower lip.  “Liam, talk to me. Whatever it is, you can talk to me about everything.” “I know that. I just...don’t want to hurt you.” “Baby, give me some credit. I handled you being a werewolf just fine, right? Whatever it is now, I will handle it just as fine.”

He exhaled loudly. She was right, his mother was a tough cookie. “Okay. Well, as I said, I found out yesterday that...” Liam decided to rip it off like a bandaid. “Landon is Emmet’s son!” Ilona’s frown deepened and then she looked highly baffled. “What?” “Seems like he got married again after you divorced and had another son three years after your divorce. But Landon’s mom died during his birth and it was just him and Emmet. I didn’t know it until Emmet picked him up from school yesterday. I didn’t...It was crazy, mom!” Now that he started, everything was bubbling out and Liam couldn’t stop. “I went to Theo cause I had no idea how to react. What was I supposed to do? I just found out I had a little brother. What’s the right way to handle this? But then Landon called and asked for help and Theo drove me there and...He didn’t change, mom! He is still the same abusive, drunk bastard he was back then. And...” Liam bit his lower lip and clenched his eyes shut for a moment to regain his composure. 

When he opened his eyes again, he found his mother staring at him wide-eyed, hands clasped over her mouth. And Liam continued: “I wanted to beat him up. A part of me wanted to punish him for everything he had done to you, to me, and obviously to Landon. I was just so angry. But then I thought about you and how hard you worked to make sure I never became like him. Theo being there helped too, he anchored me. I didn’t want to be like that guy and so I let him go. But I took Landon with me. He’s with us now. No way I’m letting him back to a father who hits him.”

Liam had not realized he was crying but when he ended, he felt the wet streaks rolling down his cheeks and wiped them away hastily. He saw his mother doing the same and she shook her head.  “My sweet baby...” “I know it’s probably not the right thing. I should call the police and child protective services but they would take Landon away from me and I don’t want that. We will take care of him, me and my pack, and he will have a happy childhood from now on.” 

“Liam,” Ilona said softly, “Liam, look at me.” She smiled when her son followed and looked at the screen. “I’m not going to tell you to call social services. This situation is difficult, almost unbearable, and I’m more worried about how you feel all about this. You met your father again, a man you haven’t seen in over a decade. What did this do to you?” Liam shrugged. “I’m confused? There is so much going on in my head. I guess a part of me always thought I would meet up with him one day and have a real talk about everything. Maybe I even hoped he would have changed and understood what he did wrong. Now I know I will never talk to him ever again if I didn��t have to. He will never change. Alcohol is more important to him than anything or anybody else. He’s that weak. I don’t want him in my life. But I guess, I came out of the meeting okay. And hey, I gained a little brother out of it. A real little brother.” “Something you always wanted. I still remember how bummed you were when your dad and I told you we won’t be having another child. Now your wish came true.”

He laughed and wiped away the remaining tears. “Are you okay? I didn’t want to rip up any old scars, you know? You’re my mother and I want you to be happy.” “Liam, I am absolutely fine. You told me something about my ex-husband and this is terrible, especially that he learned nothing from past mistakes, but I’m not traumatized. I didn’t meet him again, you did. But when you tell me you’re fine, that’s all I want to hear.” “I am fine, mom, I really am.”

Liam heard the patio door being opened and when he turned around Landon hovered in the doorway. “Liam?” He asked hesitantly. “Hey, Laddie, come here. I’m having a video call with my mom and would like you to meet her.” He extended his hand and Landon slowly followed the invitation so that Liam could pull him in. “That’s my mom Ilona and mom, that’s Landon.”  Landon waved shyly and looked between mother and son. “Hello. You are very pretty,” he informed Ilona. “Liam looks like you.” Ilona squealed. “It is so nice to meet you, Landon. You are such a polite kid. Oh my god.” “He is, right?” Liam laughed and squeezed his brother’s shoulder. Landon beamed at him.  “Look at you, you look so cute together. Big brother and little brother. How adorable.” Ilona was enraptured.  “Mom.” Liam chuckled softly but he secretly loved it. She was right, after all, and to be a big brother felt good. 

****** It was two weeks since Landon had moved in with the pack and it had gone smoother than Liam initially expected. A few toys and plushies had found their home in Landon’s new room and true to his promise, Liam had helped pick out a nice light blue frame for the picture of Landon’s mother. It now stood on the nightstand so she could watch over Landon (Landon’s words). 

But even the picture could not keep everything away from the nine-year-old and one night Liam was shaken awake by a tiny hand on his shoulder. He blinked and slowly Landon turned sharper in front of his bleary eyes. 

“Landon, buddy, what’s wrong?” Landon sniffled. “I had a nightmare, Liam.” He hiccuped and pressed his donkey plushie closer to his chest. “The room is so dark tonight.” It tore Liam’s heart into two to see his brother in this state and he felt a new sense of connection to his mother when he thought back how often Liam stood at her bed and cried over a nightmare. Especially after the divorce, the nights had been bad for little Liam.  He now did what his mother had done during those times. He moved further into the middle of the bed and cast a look over his shoulder. Theo still slept peacefully, undisturbed by the nightly visitor. Good.  “Come here, Laddie,” Liam invited his brother and lifted the covers. Landon didn’t even hesitate to crawl in with his big brother and curl close to Liam who tucked the covers back around the two of them again.  He kissed Landon’s forehead. “Try to sleep, okay? You’re safe here and I make sure no nightmare can get to you here.” Landon nodded and Liam put his arms around the scared child before he closed his eyes. Just giving Landon the safety of somebody he could cuddle up with, to know he was not alone. It helped Theo when he had nightmares and always helped Liam himself as well so he hoped it did the trick. When he listened to Landon’s heartbeat, it surely did. The little heart slowly calmed down again and he didn’t sniffle anymore. 

They laid there in silence before Landon suddenly whispered: “Liam?” “Yeah?” “I hoped to find you one day after dad mentioned you for the first time.” He smiled softly. “I’m glad I found you. I always wanted a little brother just like you.” “Oh, really?” “Yup.”  Liam felt Landon cuddle closer to him. “I’m really happy you’re my brother, Liam.” “I’m happy you are my brother too, Landon.”

****** Liam had to admit, having a whole pack to babysit a kid had perks. They took turns in picking Landon up from school and they all helped the boy with his homework. Mason and Sadie were great when it came to mathematics and science, Liam obviously was the history nerd and loved to help Landon in regards to this, Theo helped him with language, just to name a few. And the more time Landon spend surrounded by people he loved, the happier he became. He got out of his shell more and more day by day and it wasn’t uncommon to hear him laughing happily or see him running around. Sure, what he had endured for almost ten years left their traces and there were moments when the trauma caught up with him, just like it did with Liam from time to time. But Liam saw the positive effects of the loving environment. Landon even looked healthier and not as pale as he had been when Liam first met him. 

The relationship between the brothers bloomed and they got along absolutely amazingly. They got to know each other after not being part of each other’s lives for ten long years and they even managed to find some similarities. Both liked fish but hated salmon with a fierce passion, it made them both nauseous. And Landon enjoyed painting with his fingers just as much as his big brother. Theo had just smiled fondly when he came home one night and found them at the kitchen table, fingers stained with chalk and the table covered with their masterpieces. 

But despite getting along so well and discovering things about each other every day, Landon still managed to surprise Liam. A nice example of this happened when Landon came home from school today. Nolan had picked him up and Liam heard them already in the garage from where they chatted animatedly. But then the door to the kitchen suddenly burst open and Landon dashed through. 

“Liam, Liam, today in Art class we had to draw our heroes. Guess who I drew?” “That’s another thing the two of you have in common, he gets just as excited about things as you,” Sadie chimed in from her place at the table where she ate a banana. Ever next to her nodded. “Yeah, he can be as much of a happy puppy as you, Lee.”  Liam just chuckled but paid them no mind and rather answered his brother. “Who did you draw?” He crossed his arms in front of his chest and thought about it. “Captain America?” Landon smiled and shook his head.  “Hm, Iron Man?” Another shake of the head.  “Scarlet Witch?”  And again Landon shook his head.  Liam pondered on it. “Oh, I know! Wonder Woman!” Landon giggled but again shook his head.  Liam laughed. “Okay, I give up. Who did you draw?”

The child gave him a very sincere look. “You,” he calmly declared and it caught Liam completely off guard. He stared. “Me?” He finally asked after what felt like a lifetime.  “Yeah, because you are my hero,” Landon explained earnestly. Sadie and Ever squealed at that and Liam knelt down so he was eye to eye with his brother and could pull him in a hug. He knew they got along pretty great and he adored his baby brother but he had not known Landon felt that strongly about him. Liam a hero for his younger brother? That came as a surprise. A very happy one.  “I love you so much,” he whispered into Landon’s ear and felt his brother hug him tightly.  “I love you too, Liam. You are my hero and no superhero can ever be as great as you are.”

Theo stepped into the kitchen. “Did I hear somebody say superhero?” Landon weaseled out of Liam’s hug to eagerly nod and tell Theo what happened. “We had to draw our heroes today and I drew Liam because he is my hero.” The First Beta smiled and looked form the child to his boyfriend. “I can totally see why, you are absolutely right, Landon. Want to hear a secret?” He crouched down. “Liam’s my hero too,” he told the boy and then winked at Liam.  The young Alpha blushed bright red. “Hush! You’re making me blush!” “But it is true,” Theo insisted. “You can hush me all you want, doesn’t change the fact. You, Liam Emerson Dunbar, are mine and Landon’s hero. Right, champ?” Landon nodded and high-fived Theo. “Right!”

And while Liam might not see himself that way, seeing his mate and his brother get along so perfectly made him very happy. Both were important to Liam and he couldn’t imagine his life without them anymore so seeing them get along was essential to him. Theo was a great brother-in-law for Landon and vice versa.  “You two are nuts.” “What do nuts mean?” Landon asked curiously.  “It’s Liam’s way of saying he loves us,” Theo explained professionally. 

****** "No, Mason, I don’t know what kind of clams serve as an aphrodisiac. I wasn’t even aware clams can do that.” Liam pushed the door of the little deli open and stepped out in the streets again. He talked with Mason on the phone who was currently planning a romantic dinner he wanted to surprise Corey with.  “Do you need those? Really?...No, Mase, I don’t want to hear the story about Aphrodite and how she was born out of a clam. I know that story.” It was hard not to laugh at his best friend’s antics. Mason acted like this was their first date. It was cute how those two could already be married and still as much in love as they had been on the first day.  “Yes...yes, Mason, I am pretty sure the dinner will be a success, even if you don’t serve those clams.”  He heard the scratching of pen on paper and then Mason began a rant about chocolate covered strawberries and edible underwear. Liam decided to cut the conversation right there. “I am not going to buy edible underwear for your husband! The only one I would buy those for is my boyfriend and we’re both not into it. See you at home, Mase!” He ended the call and shook his head with a small laugh. Mason was definitively the crazy one in their friendship and that meant a lot coming from the werewolf. 

Liam pushed his phone in the pocket of his jeans. He just hoped Landon wasn’t around when Mason gave a lecture on the different flavors of edible underwear. Poor boy would probably be scared for life. He was way too young for that! Liam wanted to keep his baby brother innocent for a little while longer, hence why he also didn’t tell him about werewolves yet. It opened a new terrifying world and Liam didn’t want to rush things. Landon should keep his childlike innocence a few more years. 

The young Alpha stepped onto the street. He had driven to university with Theo this morning and then later took the bus to run some errands. Now he would also take the bus to get home.  He barely registered some movement out of the corner of his right eye and it took his brain valuable seconds to register a car driving closer to him. The streets had been quiet before, otherwise, Liam would have never crossed it. He may be a daredevil when he was fighting supernatural baddies but when it came to road traffic Liam was careful.  Two arms wrapped around his midsection and yanked him back. His bag crashed to the floor and the car sped by while Liam and his savior stumbled to the ground. And then Liam sat there on the sidewalk and the blood was rushing in his ears while his brain yelled at him how fucking close that had been. He turned his head and there was Caden, looking just as shocked as Liam. 

“Damn, are you okay, Liam?” “Yeah, yeah.” The young Alpha nodded. His heart was still thumping like mad but he was okay. “Thanks to you. I didn’t see the car driving down the street. Too lost in thoughts. I really need to learn to be more careful sometimes.” Caden stared at him before he suddenly shook his head. “No, Liam, you don’t understand: The car was standing in the street the whole time until you stepped out of the deli, then it started to drive slowly and when you stepped onto the street, they sped up. They wanted to run you over.” He frowned, a deep crease between his eyes. “What?” Liam could not really believe this. But Caden’s heartbeat was even when he talked, he wasn’t lying. “Why would anybody want to run me over with their car?” “I don’t know but that was too sudden to be a coincidence.” 

It would be an understatement to say Liam was confused. He had no idea how to handle it or what to make out of it. Was there actually a way to deal with someone seemingly being after your blood?  “We need to talk to the Betas.” He got up and walked over to his bag. Thankfully the car had also missed it and nothing got broken inside.  “Are you here by car?” Caden had got to his feet too and now looked inquisitively at Liam.  “I took the bus,” Liam negated. “I’m here by car, I can drive you,” Caden offered and raised his keys. And really, if Liam had the choice, he would take the car. It was faster anyway.  “Okay, then I’ll take you up on that offer.”

The car ride to the house was filled with them both talking over the almost accident over and over again. Liam still could not wrap his head around the fact someone had wanted to run him over. Then again, he knew it was entirely possible and werewolves could even die from it.  “I don’t think it would have killed you, the car was too slow for that, but it would have seriously injured you for sure,” Caden gave in his own two cents when they parked in front of the house and headed for the entrance.  Liam hummed. “You’re probably right.” He unlocked the door and stepped inside. Corey just walked down the stairs and greeted them happily.  “Cor, where’s Landon?” Liam asked.  “In his room.” The chimera hesitated. “Is something wrong?” “I need all of you Betas in the living room. We need to have a pack meeting. Gather them!”

He realized he was giving orders but right now Liam couldn’t care less. And maybe his Betas had heard him or Corey was just that good at alerting them all but only minutes later they were all in the living room.  “We’re having a pack meeting and he is here?” Mike asked and gave Caden an appraising look. Ever swatted at his arm and gave him a warning look. She was on Caden’s side, for obvious reasons.  “Caden saved me from getting run over by a car not an hour ago. In my books, that makes him pack,” Liam explained and effectively ended the argument between his Betas which had been about to start. They just stared at their Alpha instead, stunned into silence. Liam gestured towards Caden. “I mean if you want to be.” “I’d love to be part of your pack. Thank you.” Caden smiled softly and Liam took a look around.  “Everybody having any objections?” They shook their heads, except for Theo who sat on the armrest of the couch and frowned. “Do you have any doubts about that?” Liam inquired and poked his boyfriend’s shoulder.  “Sorry, I’m still hung up on getting run over by a car. What happened??” “Oh yeah, well, that is a good question. I wanted to cross the street and suddenly the car drove towards me. If it weren’t for Caden, I probably would not be standing here right now.” “Again, I don’t think they meant to kill you. The speed was just too slow. They probably wanted to injure you.” “They? Did you see them?” Ever asked him. Caden shook his head.  “No. I just walked down the street and the sun was reflecting from the car so it caught my eye. That it was just standing in the middle of the street didn’t seem strange, maybe they were waiting for someone and the street wasn’t busy. But then Liam appeared and the car slowly started rolling. Still not strange, maybe the driver had just been looking for something. But then they sped up and I thankfully was close enough to pull Liam back. But I didn’t see who was sitting in the car, I’m sorry.”  “Hold on, the car sped up when Liam appeared?” Theo’s frown deepened and there was a flash of gold in his eyes. His wolf clearly picked up the threat against his mate. Liam reached out and put one arm around his mate’s shoulder. Contact might help to calm him.  “Yeah, when he stepped into the street. Course it could have been random but that would be way too random, know what I mean? To me, it appeared like Liam had been the target of that,” Caden shared his insight.  “So the question is: Who would have any motivation to run Liam over with their car?” Corey questioned.  “Well, we know some hunters who used this method before,” Brett muttered bitterly.  Nolan made an unconvinced face. “I’m not so sure they were hunters. A hunter wants to kill a werewolf, not just injure them. Caden said it wouldn’t have killed Liam, even less since he is an Alpha.” “Maybe the person driving the car didn’t know that? Maybe they still think Liam’s a Beta,” Mason interjected. “Still. Hunters usually don’t attract that much attention towards what they do. It was the middle of the day, too many witnesses and the possibility of someone remembering the license plate,” Nolan persisted.  “If they weren’t hunters, who else could be out to get me?” Liam thought out loud.  “The same person watching us for a while now?” Sadie chimed in. “You said somebody followed you the other day, Ever had been watched, I felt somebody watching me.” “I don’t like that.” Tim shook his head. “That there is somebody following us and even going so far to try and seriously injure one of us.” “Wouldn’t be the first time, right? Celia did it as well,” Maya reminded everybody. “We just didn’t realize it until it was too late.” “Only this time they’re not as sneaky as they think they are. Or it is somebody who doesn’t know we are werewolves and have better senses than anybody else,” Mike muttered. 

“You are werewolves?” Liam spun around when the small voice came from the entrance of the living room. Landon stood there, one hand grasped at the hem of his shirt, and he looked completely blindsided. He felt his heart drop to his stomach. This was exactly the kind of situation he had wanted to avoid. Landon wasn’t supposed to find out that way; he was way too young for this. But here they were and while Liam wanted to protect his little brother, he also knew he couldn’t lie to the nine-year-old. That just wasn’t fair.

So he slowly nodded. “We all. Most of us are.” Landon’s eyes switched back and forth between Liam and the rest of the group but he didn’t run screaming for the hills and Liam took this as a good sign.  “Are you like the werewolves in the movies? Hairy and evil?” “No. We are good werewolves. We are not like the ones in the movies,” Liam explained patiently while he slowly walked over and crouched down in front of Landon. He never moved too fast so he didn’t scare the child.  “Are you afraid of us now?” Landon looked at his brother and bit his lower lip. His heart rate was going on faster but nowhere as fast as somebody’s in panic mood would be. “Can you show me what you look like?” He finally asked and still played with the hem of his shirt.  The twenty-year-old smiled softly and then let his eyes glow red. Claws and fangs grew as he partially shifted. Not into a complete wolf, that would probably be too much right now. Landon’s eyes widened as he watched and then he hesitantly reached out and grasped Liam’s wrist in his small hands to inspect his claws closer. Liam didn’t mind, his baby brother should take all the time in the world. As long as he was curious he wasn’t scared. 

The kid’s eyes went back to the Betas who all had flashed their eyes and then back to Liam. “Why are your eyes red and theirs not?” “Because Liam’s our Alpha, our leader,” Maya explained with a warm smile. “We are the Betas.” “Betas,” Landon repeated. He looked at Liam. “Alpha.” He nodded to himself and seemed to think this over. “How are werewolves made? Did you fall into a barrel with some radioactive waste?” “Some are born as werewolves, others - like myself- were bitten,” Liam told him with a little smile. Landon’s chemosignals had changed from being insecure to completely curious now.  “Bitten like Spiderman?” “Kinda.” Liam laughed.  “So you’re like superheroes. Do you also fight bad guys?” “Sometimes,” Tim confirmed happily and Mike smirked and bumped his shoulder against his best friend’s. Landon gasped. “That’s so cool.” But then he noticed: “Your eyes are not glowing,” he stated in the direction if Mason and Nolan.  “We are the humans of the team. Every team needs at least one human.” “And I’m a witch.” Ever raised her hand and let little lights dance around.  Landon giggled. “Wow! That’s awesome! You’re like The Avengers!”

“I have to admit nobody ever compared me to the Avengers and this is very heartwarming,” Brett chimed in, “But we still have to talk about the fact that somebody tried to run Liam...Hmpf!” Nolan clasped his hand over Brett’s mouth and effectively silenced him while he pulled the other back. “You’re not talking about Liam almost getting run over by a car in front of his little brother!” He hissed and then smiled brightly. “Don’t mind him, he was just clearing his throat,” he louder announced to the room. Liam had looked over his shoulder and shook his head with a little laugh but then turned back to Landon. “Hey, buddy, listen, you can’t tell anybody what we are, okay? It has to be our secret. There are people who don’t like us out there and therefore we cannot go public with being werewolves. You can’t tell your friends or anybody else, got that?” Landon nodded solemnly. “I won’t tell anybody your secret!” He mimicked zipping his mouth shut and the pack laughed. Liam swiftly swept him up and hugged him.  “You’re the best, Laddie!”

****** "Are you happy that Landon knows about werewolves now?”  Theo’s question made Liam smile while he finished drying up and tied the towel around his waist. He left the bathroom and looked at Theo sitting in the desk chair.  “It makes things easier. I mean, I still don’t want him to know everything, he’s too young to know about all the horrors out there, but we now don’t have to watch what we’re saying as much as we had before. That’s good. And he really took it well.” Theo smiled. “He clearly gets this from his older brother. Accepting people without much of a hassle. It’s proof of his good heart. You have to be proud.”  “I am proud of Landon. He is a great kid and he will turn into a great young man one day.” Liam smiled as well. His brother was truly a source of joy for him. “He is surely very proud of you as well. He admires his big brother very much. I can get behind that.” Theo got up from the chair and walked over to Liam.  “Oh, can you?” Liam teased.   “Hm. Absolutely.” Theo smirked and then he kissed Liam. “I’m quite proud of you myself.” His hands opened Liam’s towel and threw it away. “Let me show you how much.” Liam laughed but allowed Theo to pull him towards the bed and onto it. He pressed closer to his boyfriend and kissed him again before they lost themselves in passion and bliss.

Hours later, after he and Theo had fallen asleep tightly wrapped around each other, Liam’s eyes suddenly snapped open. He wasn’t sure what had woken him up and considered Landon standing by his bed after another nightmare as a possible reason. But when he listened to the heartbeats Liam realized all of his Betas and his little brother were asleep. Maybe Liam himself had dreamed of something bad? But he couldn’t remember and didn’t feel stressed whatsoever. So what had woken him up?

A crunching sound alerted the Alpha even more. He raised his head and strained his ears. His family was asleep but the heartbeats didn’t add up. One heartbeat too many!  Another crunching sound and a pebble got kicked away. Somebody was sneaking around the house!  Liam growled lowly and then continued to listen. If it was a burglar, he would protect his pack. But he didn’t hear any glass breaking or a door opening. And then the heartbeat diverged from the house again. Whoever had been outside, they had not tried to get in the house. Liam frowned. What the hell?

Theo distracted him when he rolled over in his sleep and whimpered. It seemed like he had the beginning of another nightmare and Liam leaned over him. “Shh, it’s okay, you’re safe,” he whispered and gently stroked over Theo’s cheek. Pressing his body against Theo’s he continued to whisper positive things into Theo’s ear until the Beta’s whimpers stopped. Liam kissed his shoulder and curled around his boyfriend to keep him grounded. Thus he also fell asleep again, the strange visitor forgotten. 

When Liam woke up the next morning, he wasn’t so sure the nightly encounter had really happened. Sometimes you dreamt of something and it felt so real but truly wasn’t. So he got out of bed and made his way into the kitchen after he got dressed.  Mike was down there, sitting at the table and quietly eating his cereal. He still looked half asleep and Liam let him be. Rather filled a cup with coffee and then stepped out into the garden to enjoy the morning air. It already looked like a nice summer day and the sun was already warming up the city. He held his face into the sun and smiled. The birds sang and it was really peaceful. 

After he stayed outside for several minutes, Liam was even more convinced he just had dreamed about someone sneaking around but then he turned around, about to walk back into the kitchen, and noticed some of the flowers in the flowerbed were flattened. He stepped closer and saw a clear shoeprint in the soil. It had not been a dream, somebody really had snuck around the house. 

Liam’s eyes flashed and he looked around but could not see anybody. Of course not. Whoever had been here was long gone but that didn’t mean Liam’s wolf was not getting agitated about that. The house was the pack’s home and anybody lurking around was a potential danger. Guess he had to be even more careful from now on. 

****** “How do you tell somebody you like them?” Liam continued to cut the bell pepper when Brett barged into the kitchen and asked this question. “With words would probably a good idea,” he said lightly. He then looked for the first time up and saw Brett pointing an accusatory finger at him.  “Don’t make fun of me, you're the one to be blamed for this mess!” Liam raised an eyebrow and balanced the knife in his hand right on the pinch. “How the hell am I the one at blame here?” He questioned curiously.  “You talked about relationships and finding the one. You made me realize I had those feelings! Why did you do that?” “I am sorry for wanting you to be happy. What was I even thinking?” “Yeah, glad you admit it!” “Brett.” Liam gave him a pointed look. “You’re acting crazy. More than usual.” He snickered. “But let’s start from the beginning. You like someone. Do I know them?” Brett made a face but in the end, he crumbled and nodded. “Hm.” “Guy or girl?” “Guy. What is this? Twenty questions?” Liam ignored Brett. If he knew the guy Brett liked it didn’t leave many options. Brett didn’t go to SU and Liam didn’t know the people his friend worked with, that must mean... “It’s somebody from the pack, right?” Brett narrowed his eyes but didn’t decline. Liam grinned.  “There are not many options. I can ask or you could tell me right from the start? What option will it be?” “I hate you! But if you must know, it’s Nolan, okay? Go ahead, laugh at me!” He crossed his arms in front of his chest and sat down at the kitchen island with a huff.  “Why should I laugh at you?” Liam didn’t get it. He put the knife aside and steadied himself on the counter. “I mean, Nolan is a great guy and so are you. You should definitively ask him on a date.” “Are you crazy? I can’t do that! I won’t even tell him I like him like that!” Brett looked at Liam as if he had just declared himself the new pope.  “Didn’t you come in here and asked how to tell someone you like them?” Liam had a hard time following.  “That was me not thinking straight.” Brett looked downright disgusted with himself but then his expression changed and he looked terrified. “I could never tell him. Because he probably would agree on a date and I can’t do that.” “Why not?” The young Alpha questioned, voice full of compassion. Something seemed to bother Brett and he wanted to help.  Brett shrugged helplessly. “I had one serious relationship in my life and it fucked me up. I can’t do that again.” Liam sighed. “My first relationship fucked me up as well. I’m pretty sure that’s what a first relationship is supposed to do. When Hayden left I thought I would never get happy again but look at me now.” “I’m not like you, Liam. I’m a superficial guy who is great with one-night-stands and casual fucks but when it comes to feelings I screw it up big time.”

“Brett.” Liam sighed. “You are a really great guy. You care about your family and friends, are an awesome big brother, and you stand up for yourself. You are loyal and you are honest, sometimes even brutally honest. Those are good qualities and maybe it’s time you allow yourself to find happiness in a new relationship.”  “Look, Liam, I may be a good friend, I try to be at least, but that doesn’t make me suited for a relationship. I’m not even romantic and every guy or girl would run away screaming sooner or later.” “Look, the way I see it if you deeply care about someone you make compromises. So what if you’re not the type of guy to bring them flowers? As long as you are faithful and you care about them, I’m sure they won’t mind.” “Hard to believe. Isn’t romantic an essential part of a good relationship?” “It’s to a certain part. Then again, there are couples who hate romance but are happy with each other. I wouldn’t obsess too much about being romantic.” “I am still not suited for a relationship.” Liam groaned. “You are stubborn, somebody ever told you that? So what if your first relationship went to hell? This is like lacrosse. You play against a team and the other team beats you. You may be frustrated, angry, or sad but you get your ass on the field again and you continue to train, you get better, and when you face off against the other team again, you beat them. Practise makes perfect, see it that way. Which doesn’t mean you should date around randomly but you should not let one failed relationship block you for the rest of your life.” Brett scrunched his nose. “Have someone ever told you that you are prone to pep talks? You’re not a sitcom dad or a fortune cookie. Gross! I came in here to wallow in self-pity and not to be motivated.” Liam smirked. “I’m the Alpha, dude, that’s my job.” Brett sighed as if dealing with Liam was the most difficult thing he had ever done. “Whatever, dude. Just don’t tell Nolan I like him, okay?”

And another chapter. I enjoyed writing more about Landon and Liam. Liam had wanted to be a big brother so badly for years and now he is one and it's just wholesome. Do you also enjoy Liam in his new role? I'm curious about what you think. I am also curious about what you think is going on. Is it a new danger and if it is one, who do you think is lurking? I mean it, reading your theories is great and really makes my day. It is interesting because you guys think of things I never would think of simply because I already know what's going to happen. But having other people talk about it is very entertaining and it also gives me motivation. I'm always trying to match or even surpass your expectations and I always hope you like the direction I take things in, even if it's nothing like you thought it would be. Or maybe you are completely right and think in the exact same direction I do, that would also be awesome to read. Whatever it is, I am happy to read from you.

Have a great weekend! ♥

[ss-trashboat]

Madkyyy, Ian and nate pls

ah yesssss ~

madky

Who offers their jacket when the other is cold? oh that’s def bucky. he keeps a keen eye on maddie for anything off, which includes when she gets cold. he doesn’t tend to mind being cold anyways, or he’ll purposefully wear layers incase she gets cold to give her one.

Who giggles uncontrollably when the other playfully picks them up? while the sight of maddie picking him up makes me laugh really hard, i think she’d be on the laughing end. bucky’s sneaky anyways so it usually catches her off guard and makes her laugh even more

Who compliments the other in front of everyone? i’m thinking both for this one. maddie more so early on in the relationship, but once bucky starts to feel more like himself again he gets more comfortable with both taking the compliments and giving them out in front of others (he had been more vocal with them when it was the two of them or around close friends)

Who is more likely to tell the other a pun and what is the other’s reaction to the pun? maddie started with them, being funny and slipping them into conversations now and then. then she created a monster once bucky learned more of them and now he dishes them out so often she just facepalms

When one of them has a bad day, what does the other do to help cheer them up? they both tend to give the other a bit of space to let them talk if they want, as they don’t want to get too invasive with the other to upset them more, but they’re around the other and let them know they’re there if needed

If they got to pick what one another wears for a day, what would one another wear? they really trust the other’s fashion choices and don’t really mind what the other wears

Who introduces their partner to their family first? How does it go? welp considering i’m fairly certain bucky’s family isn’t around anymore, this would be maddie. she of course would talk to her family first before even mentioning it to bucky, as she wants to give the heads up and make sure it’s alright. it would be for a holiday gettogether and she’d bring it up to bucky, him hesitantly agreeing to it as he knows she doesn’t see her family often and he wants to make her happy, and it ends up being a really good time. maddie’s grandfather served in the war with steve and bucky so they’re able to recount old stories and bond and it makes bucky feel more at ease being there

In a coffee shop AU, who would be the coffee shop employee and who would be the customer? i’m leaning towards maddie being the employee, as she has the perfect personality for a peppy barista, and bucky is the endlessly dead customer who works the night shifts and comes in for the pick-me up to get him through the rest of the shift/day

When they sit side by side, do they touch one another? For example, does one person has their arm around the other, do they sit holding hands, or linked arms, ECT. they’re usually always pressed against one another, or bucky will wrap his arm around her and she’ll have her head on his shoulder

What is a small thing that one another does to make their partner happy? they tend to get really cuddly when they see the other is in a bad mood, so they’ll just weasel their way into the other’s space and talk or tall jokes until they can get a smile

What would they do to celebrate their one year anniversary? they’d either go on a little trip to brooklyn so bucky can find places he remembers from growing up, like coney island and his old home, or they’d have an evening to themselves in the apartment, not really doing much but just enjoying each other’s company

When did they know that loved each other, and when did they first tell each other that they loved one another? iiiiiiii actually wrote out where they both realized their feelings were mutual so imma drop that here so y’all can read it. i don’t really know how long it was until they said it out loud, tho i feel like bucky would say it first, but yeah

Who likes to give the other hugs from behind followed by a kiss? that would be bucky, as he knows it’s one way to make her smile when she gets stressed out or is too involved in something

Who would make a playlist for the other person? What would be featured on the playlist? maddie would make him one. it would include some music from his time with some other songs she thinks he’d like included

Who would bring their partner on a romantic date under the stars? i could see either one of them doing it. they both like dates outside so they both would plan them.

ian/nate

Who offers their jacket when the other is cold? nate is usually the one with the jacket/hoodie cause ian is dumb af and never wears one so this would be nate, as he now carries two with him just in case

Who giggles uncontrollably when the other playfully picks them up? ian picks nate up to get him in a giggle fit cause he absolutely loves nate’s laugh and will do anything he can to hear it

Who compliments the other in front of everyone? they both tend to, but ian does more so to get nate all flustered and blushing cause he finds it adorable

Who is more likely to tell the other a pun and what is the other’s reaction to the pun? i can see nate starting it to irritate ian and get his bitchface, but then because ian is a competitive fuck he’ll start looking them up and they’ll end up having pun wars and wynn debates on moving out

When one of them has a bad day, what does the other do to help cheer them up? ian is always in a perpetual bad mood so this is really nothing new for nate. he’ll just cuddle up to him and tell really bad jokes to try and get even the slightest smile out of him. when nate gets in a bad mood ian tends to do the same with him, just in a more awkward way cause he barely knows how to function

If they got to pick what one another wears for a day, what would one another wear? nate wouldn’t care what ian wore, as long as he had a hoodie or jacket along with him. ian would put nate in a short sleeve shirt of some kind to show off his tattoos cause ian loves them a ton

Who introduces their partner to their family first? How does it go? welp. neither of them really have family, besides ian having maya down the road so. i guess ian then? and maya was around before ian realized they were siblings so i don’t know if this counts so. i dunno

In a coffee shop AU, who would be the coffee shop employee and who would be the customer? nate would be the barista who’s just trying to be able to pay hist rent with this second job and ian would be the regular who flirts with the cute pink-haired barista to get him blushing. and now i want this au

When they sit side by side, do they touch one another? For example, does one person has their arm around the other, do they sit holding hands, or linked arms, ECT. they’re a very touchy (not in that way) couple once they come out with their relationship, and in private before they come out with it, so yeah. they’re always cuddling or pressed together or with their arms around one another

What is a small thing that one another does to make their partner happy? ian will try whatever he can to make nate laugh, including buying bad joke books and finding out his favorite comedy movies. he’s also taught himself to bake (with wynn’s help) as nate loves baked goods. nate’s made a list of ian’s favorite movies/tv shows and he’ll dig them out and cuddle up with him to try and get him in a better mood

What would they do to celebrate their one year anniversary? iiiiiii don’t even really know. these two aren’t much of celebrating people, as they’ve really had nothing to celebrate before. they’d probably just take it as another day and then realize it’s their one year (if they make it that far and get surprised if they do) and just carry on with their day

When did they know that loved each other, and when did they first tell each other that they loved one another? they are both god awful with their emotions, more so ian, so i feel like nate would catch feelings first and just internalize them cause lol that’s his best friend. ian realizes a bit later that he’s starting to get feelings for him and then it sort of breaks him cause lol this is new and reaches out to maya and then they just. sort of avoid each other for a bit, as nate is afraid that admitting shit is gonna ruin their friendship, but ian goes over to his apartment after getting some courage from maya and just. kind of blurts it out and gets afraid nate is gonna slam the door in his face, but nate ends up kissing him and then they have a secret relationship for months

Who likes to give the other hugs from behind followed by a kiss? ian would def be the guilty one for this one

Who would make a playlist for the other person? What would be featured on the playlist? oh they both would. there would be songs they know the other likes, some songs they like, and some joke/comedy songs to make them laugh in case it’s needed

Who would bring their partner on a romantic date under the stars? ummm i feel nate would drag ian more so for this one, as nate loves being outside (he never got to when he was younger so he’s making up for it now), which leads ian to ask wynn and liam to teach him some constellations so he can talk to nate about them

thank you so much for asking! otp asks ~

[tobesoadores]

Wedding in Hawaii || Part 3

hi. part 3 is here which is also the last i think. although i may or may not will write the bit when they go home and stuff bc of the airport pictures of harry with the glasses on and stuff. i might just carry on a whole story line with them, give a girl name and then when i have ideas i just write it with them two bc i like how in love they are and i’m sad lolololol. whatcha think?? also i hope you’ll enjoy this like you did with the other 2, it was fun to be fed so good this week by the king lmao. and as well lemme know what you wanna read, if you have any ideas please send them to me so i can think about them and make it happen sometime.

Part 1 • Part 2

Wedding Buddies - book based on this series

Masterlist: x

Alright.

Okay.

Keep your shit together, girl.

He is only wearing a whiteish-creamish coloured suit with a baby blue shirt.

You’ll be fine, honestly.

But then his tanned skin and bright smile, his amazing emerald eyes and his mind spinning scent!

Holy cow.

I was one lucky gal as I saw Harry coming out of the bathroom, fully dressed and ready to go. He washed his hair so his curls were all over the place but it was so sexy and adorable at the same time I honestly didn’t know how he managed it all.

“I swear I don’t know how I got so lucky,” he said as he walked over to me, sneaking his arms around me and kissing my neck right up to beneath my ear then across my jawline. “You look bloody stunning,” he complimented me which made my heart flutter and cheeks flush red.

I didn’t even realise I closed my eyes and my lips parted as he pressed open mouthed kisses on my skin and his hand was squeezing my bum here and there. Being so close to him just allowed me to inhale his typical Harry smell which yes indeed it included the minty flavour or scent or whatever of his chewing gum that never seemed to leave his mouth.

“I love your ass,” he whispered in my ear as he pressed a whole lot of new kisses onto my skin. “I also love you. Like crazy.”

“I feel like we’re on our honeymoon,” I chuckled then a sigh left my lips as he nibbled on my earlobe and dragged his tongue down the side of my neck. “You’ve gotta stop this, now.”

“Do I really?” he murmured into my skin as he held me closer to his body.

“Behave, mister,” I said weakly, not being able to control myself as he took over me just by kissing my neck and gripping my ass.

How was he doing this?

“Alright-alright,” he gave in as he pulled away. His usual side smirk was still on his face then he laughed which caused his eyes to crinkle and his dimples to deepen in his cheeks. “I’d love to come back here with you for, like, a month.”

“Are you crazy?” I looked at him with wide eyes as I took my phone out of my bag. “I don’t have the expenses to afford a whole month in Hawaii.”

“I’ll pay it,” he shrugged like it was no big deal. Which I understood. He was a multibillionaire. Of course he could afford it.

He could’ve bought the entire island if he wanted to with all the money he had.

“Alright, whatever,” I laughed it off as I walked past him. “You can’t just say stuff like this. I hate it when you pay for all my stuff. You didn’t let me pay for my own plane tickets because you wanted us to fly first class.”

“So what’s wrong with that? I can afford it. I want to buy things, nice things, for you; I want to spend my money on you. I love you, of course I spoil you.”

“You spoil me too much, though. You don’t have to win me over with your money you have already won me over with your personality and I just want you to know that you are enough for me. You are an amazing man, I couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend than you and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart.

You honestly make me go crazy, like, absolutely nuts. I cannot keep my hands off of you and I think you already know this but I can’t stop looking at you either. You are honestly the greatest, kindest, most humble guy I have ever met in my life and I’m so freaking grateful to have you. I’m so damn blessed.”

His eyes kept looking into mine as I rambled on about how much I loved him or something along those lines. I didn’t even know what I was saying because the words just left my mouth and I was hoping and praying that nothing silly was spoken by me.

“Right, this is final,” he said slowly as he nodded and swallowed. “I am for sure, like, 100% taking you to Hawaii for a whole month and I am paying it all. We are flying first class and you will not bring any money, not even your bank card. Like I am literally going to pay for everything for you.”

“Like hell you will! Calm your tits, pal. Just cause I tell you how much I love you and how amazing you are, which you should know anyway, doesn’t mean that you can just become my sugar daddy. I am not giving you sugar for money although it comes in handy sometimes…” I joked around which caused him to laugh with his head back and hand on his stomach.

It was the prettiest view and the most angelic sound I have heard that day. I loved making Harry laugh and smile and happy.

He deserved the best and I was determined to give him the best. Even if I couldn’t be considered as the best.

**

The dinner was on the beach, the sun was still up so it gave us enough light to see each other and be able to have food outside. It was lovely as we heard the tides of the sea crashing on the sandy shore and the slightly salty yet extremely fresh smell filled my lungs.

Harry was sitting on my right side while Lily was on his left side, talking his ear off which I found rather funny. Especially when he could barely control himself so his hand gripped my thigh a bit firmer as his it was resting there.

He leaned over to me when the little girl got up from the table and left with her mum to go somewhere, his nose slightly nuzzling against mine as a quiet sigh escaped his lips.

“If we ever have a daughter I do not know how I’ll cope,” he said chuckling and I joined him. He pressed his lips against mine in a soft kiss and pulled away just to do it again several times after the first one. “I love you.”

“I love you,” I smiled as my eyes fluttered open just to look right into his shining green ones.

Before I fully moved away from him I kissed his cheek which caused him to blush a little and I found that adorable. I didn’t know why he blushed whenever I kissed him but I loved it like I loved him.

“What would you like to name our daughter?” I asked him suddenly as we were both leaning back in our chairs, the people at the table were all in deep conversation about something.

“Hmmm,” he hummed, putting his elbow on the arm of the chair he was sitting on as he leaned his chin against the side of his index finger. “I don’t know, I think-, we are most probably going to change it right as she’ll be born. Y’know how random we are,” he laughed.

“Right I think we would and will probably end up doing that,” I agreed. At that point I didn’t realise we were talking like it is going to happen but to be honest we had a good relationships and I didn’t see anything that could possibly damage our bond in the near future.

Anything’s possible for us. We have the chance to create a family together in the future and that makes me excited.

“But, urm, something special I think,” I said finally, after he thought about it a bit. “I’d definitely want something for her that would suit her and a name that would be special and unique.”

“As special and unique as Bear Payne or…” I grinned at him which caused him to widen his eyes and it was the funniest thing ever. Then I clocked on. I just shaded his best mate’s son’s name and I didn’t even mean to do that. “I mean that’s not actually what I wanted to say.”

“Oh my god,” he continued to laugh as he covered his mouth with his hand. Then he put the other one over his hand that was already on his lips and his whole body was shaking as he made fun of me making fun of Liam’s son’s name.

But I didn’t really.

I thought it was cute and of course a bit unusual but definitely unique. I think it was mainly his girlfriend who decided on the name so I can’t really give all the credit to Liam for giving his son the name he got in the end.

“Stop it, Harry,” I punched his arm with my fist but I didn’t actually hurt him. This got him though because he stopped and put on a fake hurt face which made me laugh. He was honestly so goofy and playful, sometimes it just made me wanna have kids with him as I wanted to see him with them. “So, what about our daughter’s name then, huh?”

“Okay, let’s talk like adults then,” he said as he cleared his throat and a big sigh left his lips. “I would probably like to call her, um, Maya or something.”

“Maya or something?” I asked back as my eyebrow arched up higher than I could have drawn it as I was getting ready.

“I like Maya, it’s, well, I think it’s different. What do you think? Do you like it?”

“I mean it’s a pretty name but I’m not too keen on it,” I told him my honest opinion. “I’d rather call her something more-, I don’t know. Something more umpfh if you get me?”

“Umpfh,” he repeated. His eyes slowly looked into mine and I already saw his smirk growing bigger and bigger. Then before I knew it his head was leaned back and he was laughing his ass off. “Right, describe this umpfh for me, please, pretty girl.”

“You’re just making fun of me, you deserve no explanation,” I told him with a serious face expression but deep down I was dying from the laughter I had to hold back.

God why were we such a goofy and childish couple? We didn’t take anything seriously, we laughed most of the time that we spent together and basically we were both just a mess as soon as we saw each other or started talking.

We could be texting and when I type out that “I’m crying I can’t cope I’m pissing myself” I’m actually like that. Some people just text that stuff, I actually feel it and do it. I mean yeah, Harry is funny…

But I’m hilarious.

I think I laugh at my own jokes more than Harry does. But then again he laughs at his own jokes too. And sometimes we laugh at each other’s – well, okay, we laugh all the fucking time I don’t even know what I’m trying to say anymore.

We’re funny and end of.

[roselukes]

Offside l.h. - Chapter 9

Previously

Luke had missed a total of 4 practices. He missed the practice on the day of Maya’s game and 3 practices once they had returned from Thanksgiving break. “Luke, you’ll need to stay after today to make up for the numerous practices you’ve missed.” Coach Feldmann crossed his arms. “This is getting out of hand. You can’t miss any more practices.”

“I’m sorry, Coach. It won’t happen again.” Luke sighed as he sat on the bench. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Maya.

Hey do you want to come to my practice so we can hang out after?

He slid his phone back in his bag before she could send a reply. He got back on the ice and picked up his stick, getting back to the rest of the team. Maya showed up 10 minutes before practice was set to end. She sat in the highest seat of the bleachers and leaned back against the wall. She pulled out her phone and checked her Twitter notifications. Luke’s ex girlfriend, Kristi Jo had been subtweeting her since Luke went to her game. She rolled her eyes and leaned her head back. “Jealous cunt.” Maya whispered, looking down at the ice.

“Hi.” Luke mouthed, biting his lip to contain his smile.

“Gross, Luke. You invited her to practice?” Liam made a disgusted face.

“We’re going to hang out after.” Luke shrugged, trying to hide his grin.

“All you do is hang out with this girl. It disgusts me.” Liam laughed and followed the others to the locker room.

“Hemmings, you owe me 3 hours of extra practice. Starting now.” Coach Feldmann stated, walking to the locker room with the other team members. Maya walked down the bleachers to Luke.

“Listen, I love spending time with you, but I don’t want to spend 3 hours watching you do this.” Maya giggled, sitting on the bench.

“Okay, get out here. Come on.” Luke held his hand out to Maya.

“What? Luke, no. I don’t have skates and you’re supposed to be practicing.” Maya shook her head, and looked up at Luke.

“Maya, get over here.” Luke demanded, keeping his hand extended to her.

“You’re annoying.” Maya scoffed and carefully walked onto the ice. She grabbed Luke’s hand to keep herself steady. “I’m gonna fall.” Maya whined and held onto Luke. Luke laughed and handed her his stick.

“Do you know how to shoot?”

“I don’t need to. I play volleyball.” Maya huffed and took the stick.

“Just try and hit the puck into the net.” Luke rolled his eyes playfully. He skated over to the net and watched as Maya struggled to keep her footing.

“I hope this puck knocks all your teeth out.” She huffed and swung the stick at the puck. She screamed when she lost her balance and fell on the ice. Luke let out a loud laugh before covering his mouth.

“Shit, baby, are you okay?” Luke skated over to her and grabbed her hands.

“I don’t like you.” Maya groaned and pulled Luke down on the ice. Luke groaned from the sudden collision with the ice.

“That was rude, Dragonfly.” Luke pulled his helmet off and looked at her.

“Whatever. Just get up and help me up.” Maya tried to get up, but slipped back onto the ice. Luke stood up and held Maya’s waist as he held her up.

“I’m going to teach you to shoot now.” Luke picked up his stick and placed it in her hands. He dropped a puck in front of them and held his hands over Maya’s to hold the stick in the correct position. He moved her arms and hit the puck into the net.

“Great, I did it. Now you do your practice so we can do something fun,’ Maya crossed her arms.

“You don’t think this is fun?” Luke scoffed, faking offense.

“This is boring.” Maya huffed. “With a capital B.”

“Oh, now you’re just being mean.” Luke laughed, pulling Maya closer to him. She squealed when he began tickling her sides. She managed to get herself out of his arms and did her best to slide away, her Converse making it a little difficult. Luke skated over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, spinning her around. Maya giggled loudly.

“Luke! Put me down!” She laughed, holding onto him.

“Hey, this is a closed practice.” Michael said from the sidelines.

“Mike, it’s not a big deal.” Luke set Maya down and looked at Michael.

“Practice isn’t over until the last player leaves the ice, and besides, you owe us 3 hours of practice.” Michael crossed his arms.

“I’ll see you later, Bug. I have to go anyways. Kristi Jo wants me to fill in for Becca at the coffee shop tonight.” Maya sighed. She made her way off the ice and out of the arena.

“Thanks a lot, mate.” Luke sighed, watching Maya leave.

“You can’t risk the team for this girl. She’s not more important than winning the championship, is she? No, she’s not. Now practice.” Michael rolled his eyes.

***

Maya walked into the coffee shop and put on her name tag and apron. “Oh, Maya, you’ll be on dish tonight, so you won’t need the name tag and apron.” Kristi Jo smirked at Maya.

“Uh, I don’t do dish anymore. I’m only supposed to be called in if a barista doesn’t show.” Maya crossed her arms.

“Well, I’m the assistant manager, and I’m telling you that you’re on dish tonight. Now get to it.” She smirked and turned back to what she had been working on.

“Are you punishing me because I’m dating Luke?” Maya rolled her eyes.

“He’ll leave you soon, so I don’t have to worry about it. He could never actually like you.” Kristi Jo laughed. “And, Maya, please tuck your shirt in. We wouldn’t want you to get written up for violating the dress code.”

“You should tuck your shirt in, then. Or tell the other 7 people without their shirts tucked in to respect the dress code.” Maya rolled her eyes and walked to the back where the dishwasher was.

***

Luke walked into the frat house after he had finished his extra practice. He walked up to his room, which he shared with Ashton, and set his bag on his bed. “Heard you were fraternizing with Maya on the ice today.” Ashton said, not looking up from his textbook.

“I was just teaching her how to shoot.” Luke shrugged.

“You seem to be taking this bet much more seriously than we thought you would.”

“I honestly forgot it was a bet..” Luke sighed and sat on the edge of his bed. “She’s just so important to me and I want to be with her for real, not for a bet. I want out of the bet.”

“You really love her, don’t you?” Ashton closed his philosophy book and looked at Luke. “I can tell you do.”

“I love her more than anything.” Luke looked down at his lap. “She’s the most important thing in my life.” He sighed.

“Okay, I’ll help you.”

“What?”

“I’ll help you get out of the bet.”